Quintessential Long Trek Adventure What can an ordinary mind with an ordinary collection pf experiences in the early 21th Century say about a creation of the supposed stature of Homer's, "Odyssey?" What indeed? After James Joyce structured his masterpiece, "Ulysses" based on the XXIV books of thatendlessly praised literary work, what can be added? F. Scott Fitzgerald has been variously quoted regarding admirable literary works as: First read by the ordinary man on the street; Later by the student; And still later by the scholar. W.H.D. Rouse (who translated the version in question) transformed the original, poetic construction into a linear narrative) suggests that the "Odyssey" echoes these sentiments when he writes that the "Odyssey" was intended for the ordinary, ruffian minds of Homer's day 2500 odd years ago, rather than the bookish elite more concerned with elaborate verbal constructions to impress peers (or themselves only) in a more modern era. How far would the elite get in entertaining an excited mob (audience) shouting comments and expecting no more than a rousing yarn? "Hey, let's have some real life stuff here we can relate to and understand with our rough, life lessons. None of that College Boy Talk!" How many "ordinary" minds "appreciate" Joyce's, "Ulysses" even when provided with the Norton Critical Edition, while this document rests on their chests, slips to the floor, as they drift off to "Lala Land" after a a days labor? "Hey! This makes my head hurt! I want to be entertained here, not educated!" An informal canvas of readers loitering in a bookstore regarding the value of Homer's epic reflected both the Fitzgerald and Rouse contentions. One response centered on the condition of the paper on which the book was printed, and the prospects for resale without mentioning of the book's contents. Many responses focused on the nature of the translation and the appreciation that it was ordinary language rather than poetic language with over much stylistic or archaic English. Another response reflected nostalgically on, "Having read it in high school." Another singular comment suggested that the "Odyssey" was too old to be read today, and had nothing to do with today's standards of literary value. One respondent declared that the "Odyssey" must be read in the original Greek, or not at all. And lastly, a somewhat scholarly fellow commented that all of the other responses were wide of the mark since the "Odyssey" was a "Religious Tract," where Homer's goals were similar to those of the writers of the Bible."Several of the comments were vivid enough to be especially memorable and quotable: One quite affable gentleman asked: "How about, "Homer's Simpson's Odyssey" where he works for improved safety regulations in his town of Springfield? He gets promoted to Nuclear Safety Inspector at the local Atomic Energy Plant. That was a great story that held my interest!" Another young man looking like a walking advertisement stated: "Was Ulysses a baseball player? George Carlin says baseball players are, 'Trying to get home!' They also try to 'Hit Homers!' It seems to me that Ulysses and Odysseus were minor league ball players down south on a team called the Trojans. Am I on the right track?" Still another quite honest looking fellow stated in response to my questions: "The "Odyssey? Hey, I haven't read a book since the first grade!" Harold Bloom states in his rather turgid volume, "Genius" that to be a work of genius a literary piece must escape the limits of the time it was written - its contents apply to all ages. Apparently, Homer has succeeded in reaching this goal, but not completely unscathed. According to Plato's, "Ion," in Homer's day certain skilled speakers would travel about reciting the contents of literary works (as "Imitators") since material copies of such works were far more scarce than the ability to read them. The curious might ask, "Could Socrates read?" Well, was this loutish, regular guy (ME) entertained during late evening readings? Yes, most of the time. I did feel sorry for the steers, sheep, and other creatures sacrificed daily (even if ceremoniously) to the gods to gain favor, since distinct gods were found in virtually everything in those days. Upton Sinclair's, "The Jungle" does not provide comfort for similar reasons. How did people escape the effects of excessive eating (huge quantities) of fatty meats, finished off with gallons of wine (after a few drips were spilled on the floor) without becoming obese with liver failure or spraining an ankle? Oops! I forgot. Fats and alcohol were not harmful in those days. I was surprised to discover there were no police in Homer's day to capture a thief. And was murder not a crime? Hmm! By the way, I did keep a copy of Edith Hamilton's, "Mythology" on my bed stand for quick reference as to who was who. I now understand better Martin Scorsese's, "Life Lessons" short film when sirens sounded whenever Lionel saw his muse - a young lady friend, walking away. There were other cases I will not mention for fear of boring the reader with erudite, personal experiences. For me, Homer included too many prolonged descriptions of lavish meals, storms at sea, and invented stories rather than "the truth," and the like. Whereas, exciting stuff such as the visits to Calypso, Scylla, Cyclops and the Sirens were needlessly abbreviated. "Hey, Homer!! (Wink! Wink! Nudge! Nudge!). These are the best parts!!" These remarks fall short of authentic commentary if the Odyssey is a religious document, since the reader would have to be well versed in the depths of Greek Mythology to subconsciously add meaning to seemingly repetitious inclusions. How many ordinary readers have such knowledge? Therefore, in most cases the events described above such as a lavish meal or a digression in the storyline are meaningless beyond a another excursion or lunch. Perhaps, the Odyssey can only read with the aid of a scholar - as Fitzgerald suggests. I know it was probably just a literary device, but the descriptions of Penelope's gluttonous house guests/suitors did become somewhat tedious. How did Penelope cry continuously for twenty years while lamenting Ulysses' absence without draining her tears glands or needing psychiatric help? Here again we must ask, "Is there some hidden significance?" Further, Athena was very helpful in guiding Ulysses, Zeus could be annoying when sending him off on some needless digression. Finally, I was a little strained as I reached Book XXIV when Ulysses meets his father again. In spite of this personal limitation, did I benefit from my late night reading? Yes. I visited places I will never visit. I met interesting people (more interesting than the ones I meet when walking down the street). I was involved in experiences I will never actually have (fortunately). I learned how (highly unusual?) people lived long ago. I know what skillful story telling is like - (my high school English teacher loved the "Odyssey" only because I had not written the story). Rouse does provide some erudition in footnotes and a Pronouncing Gazetteer (for all the "funny names") if you want to take a peek when nobody is watching. I must admit that the function of the "Odyssey" as a religious tract completely escaped me until now. As a "habitual autodidact" I read the "Odyssey" since it existed and might include an idea to improve my existence. Hamilton's handy mythological text is too episodic to render itself helpful in uncovering the depths of interrelations among the myths - (to appreciate this depth read Marie von Franz's interpretation of a dream of Socrates just before his death.) Therefore, I read as a member of an audience in Homer's time, only one as ignorant as a visitor from another planet. Finally, I benefited especially from reading Homer's "Odyssey" when I realized like Leonard Zelig I no longer felt the inferiority he felt since he had not read, "Moby Dick". So, if the "Odyssey' comes up in an informal conversation I can at least say, "Isn't that the story of the guy going home after the Trojan War?" Anyway, buy this Signet edition of this classic book. Overall, you will be entertained and educated; if only in a manner Homer did not actually intend. Your Old Buddy, Whizbang!!