Meaning: William Faulkner's quote, "You should approach Joyce's Ulysses as the illiterate Baptist preacher approaches the Old Testament: with faith," offers an intriguing perspective on how readers should engage with James Joyce's renowned novel. Faulkner, a prominent American novelist himself, suggests that approaching Ulysses requires a mindset akin to that of an illiterate Baptist preacher reading the Old Testament – one of faith and reverence. To fully understand the significance of this quote, it is essential to delve into the context of both the novel and the author's intent.

First published in 1922, James Joyce's Ulysses is considered one of the most influential works of modernist literature. Set in Dublin over the course of a single day, the novel follows the experiences of its three main characters, Stephen Dedalus, Leopold Bloom, and Molly Bloom. Through its intricate narrative style and stream-of-consciousness technique, Ulysses delves into the inner thoughts and experiences of its characters, providing a rich tapestry of human consciousness and experience.

In Faulkner's comparison, the illiterate Baptist preacher represents a figure of deep faith and reverence towards the Old Testament – the foundational text of Judeo-Christian tradition. By invoking this analogy, Faulkner suggests that approaching Ulysses requires a similar level of commitment and belief. Just as the illiterate preacher engages with the Old Testament through faith, readers must approach Joyce's novel with a similar sense of trust and openness to its complexities.

Faulkner's choice of the Old Testament as a point of comparison is significant. The Old Testament is a text of immense depth and complexity, containing a rich tapestry of narratives, laws, poetry, and prophecy. Its interpretation and understanding require not only literacy but also a deep spiritual and intellectual engagement. Similarly, Ulysses presents readers with a literary landscape that demands active participation and interpretation. Its dense, allusive, and multilayered narrative structure calls for a level of readerly faith and commitment akin to the illiterate preacher's approach to the Old Testament.

Furthermore, Faulkner's analogy highlights the idea that approaching Ulysses requires a suspension of traditional literary expectations. Just as the illiterate preacher may approach the Old Testament without the burden of academic or literary preconceptions, readers of Ulysses may benefit from a similar openness. Rather than expecting a conventional narrative structure or easily discernible plot, Faulkner's comparison suggests that readers should approach Ulysses with a willingness to embrace its unconventional style and narrative techniques.

In essence, Faulkner's quote encourages readers to approach Ulysses with a mindset that transcends mere comprehension and analysis. It calls for an engagement that is rooted in faith – faith in the author's intentions, faith in the power of the written word, and faith in the transformative potential of literature. By invoking the image of the illiterate Baptist preacher, Faulkner challenges readers to approach Ulysses with humility, openness, and a willingness to grapple with its complexities.

In conclusion, William Faulkner's quote provides a thought-provoking perspective on the nature of engagement with James Joyce's Ulysses. By likening the reader's approach to that of an illiterate Baptist preacher's approach to the Old Testament, Faulkner emphasizes the importance of faith, reverence, and openness in engaging with the novel. This analogy serves as a reminder that approaching Ulysses requires a mindset that transcends mere literary analysis and instead calls for a deep, committed engagement akin to approaching a sacred text. Faulkner's quote invites readers to embrace the challenges and complexities of Ulysses with a spirit of faith and openness, ultimately enriching their experience of this seminal work of modernist literature.