ll of the elements of a Black Mass. “Women and girls dressed in long vivid gowns traversed the street…The yellow gasflames arose before his troubled vision against the vapoury sky, burning as if before an altar.” (p.100). The long vivid gowns of the women and girls could be like those of the priests and the yellow gasflames are meant to conjure up images of decay upon the altar. As the prostitute approaches Stephen, Joyce uses the word “detain” to show how the prostitute may have held Stephen against his will. This word becomes significant later on in Stephen’s discussion with the priest in chapter five as the priest tells Stephen the difference between the traditional use of the word detain and it’s use in the marketplace. Virgin Mary was “detained in the full company of the saints” (p.188) is different from “I hope I am not detaining you” (p.188). In this way, Joyce implies that Stephen was seduced by the prostitute and attempted to resist her up until the very last moment before she kissed him. Stephen does not make a move towards the prostitute, but instead waits in the middle of the room until she comes to him. He will not bend to kiss her. He feels reassured by her embrace and longed for her to just hold and caress him. Perhaps he regarded her as a mother figure and he gained strength from this encounter. Joyce’s description of the room, the obscene doll with it’s legs spread, the way the prostitute lures him in and bends his lips to hers for him gives the reader the impression that Stephen is an innocent and the prostitute is the sinner. This scene puts a new perspective on that holy image of women for Stephen. It is a sharp contrast to those ideas of holiness and purity and innocent shyness that he associated with Emma, and of course, the Blessed Mary. It is even a contradiction to the image he had of Mercedes. Although this encounter...
