Finnegans Wake

Anna Livia Plurabelle (ALP) is the wife of Humphrey Chimpden Earwicker (HCE). The chapter begins with an extended prayer dedicated to ALP, who is portrayed as the Mother of the World and as goddesses and important figures from numerous religions and works of literature. Earlier, ALP wrote a letter regarding the accusations against her husband. The letter—referred to as the “mamafesta” (104)—was written and sent, but “the durn thing” (107) was not properly received. Eventually, “that original hen” (110) pecking and scratching at the ground uncovers the letter under the mud. ALP’s sons, Shem and Shaun, fight over the rediscovered letter. Though Shem is the person who originally recovered the letter, Shaun wishes to take all the credit. The letter is given to a professor to analyze in the manner of the old Irish religious text, The Book of Kells. The professor decides that ALP dictated “original document” (123) but did not personally write the letter. He surmises that the letter may have been transcribed by “Shem the Penman” (125) or someone like him.