Bloom in "Calypso" : Ulysses

             Bloom: More Rounded, Mature and Complex than Stephen
             as seen in "Calypso" in Joyce's Ulysses
             Upon examination of the chapter entitled "Calypso" in James Joyce's Ulysses, it becomes evident to the reader through comparison that Leopold Bloom is a more rounded, mature and complex figure than Stephen Dedalus.
             The manner in which these two characters are introduced to the reader provides the first supporting evidence of the above mentioned three distinguishing elements. Joyce begins his detailed introduction of Bloom in the opening paragraph of "Calypso".
             Mr Leopold Bloom ate with relish the inner organs of beasts and fowls. He liked thick giblet soup, nutty gizzards, a stuffed roast heart, liver slices fried with crustcrumbs, fried hencod's roes. Most of all he liked grilled mutton kidneys which gave to his palate a fine tang of faintly scented urine. (65)
             The presentation of such an in depth explanation of a character's eating habits as a means of first introductions is certainly unusual. The reader learns very quickly that Bloom is somebody who understands what he likes. Bloom is somebody who has an understanding of himself and therefore also possesses self confidence. This paragraph is also quite a humorous one to find as the opening to a chapter, especially the reference to the "fine tang of faintly scented urine." (65) This immediate presentation of humour establishes that, particularly when contrasted with Stephen, Bloom has quite a positive outlook on life.
             The beginning of Stephen's series of three chapters opens with the introduction of a secondary character: Buck Mulligan. "Stately, plump Buck Mulligan came from the starihead..." (1) Stephen is described as being "displeased and sleepy" and because he is introduced after Mulligan, this gives him less importance as a character when compared to Bloom. Being first introduced to a ...

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