Thanks belligerentyouth, for your insights, they reflect your honest and worthy search for meaning in a world somewhat jumbled.

Please allow me to explain why I think that understanding the intent of James Joyce in his writings is so important. First of all Ulysses and Finnaegans Wake do not categorize well so Joyce's intentions become the template for which they can be judged. And as has be noted, you don't just read these two books, you study them. And like reading a thousand page repair manual for a ten thousand vacuum tube UNAVAC computer, it would be pleasant to know that your investment in reading is worthwhile.

I think it ain't. (back in a few minutes)