Finnegans Wake catalog of works

Part One: The Book of Parents

In the first chapter, Finnegan fell from the wall, died suddenly, and woke up again. Represents the destruction and recovery of mankind.

In Chapter 2, HCE came to Dublin instead of Finnegan. He opened a pub near Phoenix Park and lived in the shop with his wife ALP, twin brothers Shem and Shaum, and daughter Issy. There were rumors outside that he had done shady things.

In Chapter 3, the Dublin court interrogated HCE. However, there are different opinions. Some people say that he peeped on two girls urinating. Some people say that he defecated in the park. Some people say that he had sex with his wife. The more the story becomes clearer, the more unclear it becomes. In the end, the court came to no conclusion.

Chapter 4 continues to describe the death and awakening of HCE. At this time, the plot suddenly inserted "four old people".

In Chapter 5, ALP turns into an old hen and writes a letter at twelve o'clock in the middle of the night, specifically about HCE. This letter can be regarded as the most important clue in the whole book.

Chapter 6, the plot returns to the classroom. There are twelve questions and answers. These questions have references to Aesop's fables.

In Chapter 7, the story turns to HCE and ALP’s son, Sam.

In Chapter 8, at dusk, two washerwomen were washing ALP's clothes by the River Liffe. While washing, they chattered endlessly about the HCE couple, focusing on ALP.

Part 2: The Book of Children

Chapter 1, three brothers and sisters were playing the game of devils and angels. Sam lost and had to become a devil, but his sister Fall in love with him.

Chapter 2: As night fell, the three siblings were called home to do their homework. Sam and Sean get into a fight while doing homework.

In the third chapter, HCE explained the rumored crime to 12 guests. During this period, a variety of styles were inserted, including advertisements, weather forecasts, dramas, TV, songs, announcements... etc.

In Chapter 4, HCE was doing business in the store. After closing, he drank the wine left by the customers. Later, he became drunk and fell to the ground. The maid found him naked. During this process, 4 advertisements and 5 poems were inserted.

Part 3: The People’s Book (Dialogue in the middle of the night)

Chapter 1, the first conversation. The citizens of Dublin and Sean were discussing the ant (the industrious) and the grasshopper (the happy-go-lucky). This is a fable. He also talked about the letter dug out by the hen.

Chapter 2, second conversation. Sean admonishes Issy and the 28 girls like a Christian, and Issy reveals her love for Sam.

Chapter 3, third conversation. Sean tells the four old men about his father's sins, Sam's despicability, and his love for Issie.

Chapter 4, HCE The dream was still full of sin. Before dawn, the couple heard the child's cry and got up to comfort the child. Back in bed, the couple couldn't make love, so they had to fall asleep again.

Part 4: Return

In this chapter, the sun comes out and the hotel door opens, but HCE is still sleeping, and a voice calls him to wake up. Finally ALP's voice sounded, which may be a gibbering. While ALP was doing housework, he asked HCE to get up. The last paragraph reads: road, loneliness, last, love, long, this (the), the definite article the is connected with the word riverrun in the first chapter of the first book, which means endless life.