Портрет художника в юности
Chapter 5
Desireurgesustopossess,togotosomething;loathingurgesustoabandon,togofromsomething.Theartswhichexcitethem,pornographicalordidactic,arethereforeimproperarts.Theestheticemotion(Iusedthegeneralterm)isthereforestatic.Themindisarrestedandraisedabovedesireandloathing.
—Yousaythatartmustnotexcitedesire,saidLynch.ItoldyouthatonedayIwrotemynameinpencilonthebacksideoftheVenusofPraxitelesintheMuseum.Wasthatnotdesire?
—Ispeakofnormalnatures,saidStephen.Youalsotoldmethatwhenyouwereaboyinthatcharmingcarmeliteschoolyouatepiecesofdriedcowdung.
Lynchbrokeagainintoawhinnyoflaughterandagainrubbedbothhishandsoverhisgroinsbutwithouttakingthemfromhispockets.
—O,Idid!Idid!hecried.
Stephenturnedtowardshiscompanionandlookedathimforamomentboldlyintheeyes.Lynch,recoveringfromhislaughter,answeredhislookfromhishumbledeyes.ThelongslenderflattenedskullbeneaththelongpointedcapbroughtbeforeStephen’smindtheimageofahoodedreptile.Theeyes,too,werereptile-likeinglintandgaze.Yetatthatinstant,humbledandalertintheirlook,theywerelitbyonetinyhumanpoint,thewindowofashrivelledsoul,poignantandself-embittered.
—Asforthat,Stephensaidinpoliteparenthesis,weareallanimals.Ialsoamananimal.
—Youare,saidLynch.