Bloom in "Calypso" : Ulysses

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

. . .
“You could have knelt down… when your dying mother asked you…” (4) These two examples once again set apart the characters of Bloom and Stephen in the areas of roundness, maturity and complexity.

Stephen Dedalus and Leopold Bloom are two very different characters. ” (80)

Chapters one through three are filled with Stephen’s regret and reflection upon past events such as the death of his mother. All of these characteristics along with his devotion, concern and lack of self involvement set Leopold Bloom apart from Stephen Dedalus. The first impression of a character is quite important when it comes to developing an understanding for that character; Bloom is immediately positively set apart from Stephen in this way. Bloom receives treatment which suggests right away to the reader that he is self confident and optimistic. Bloom shows personal growth and highlights that his character is more rounded, mature and complex than Stephen’s. He has a house and a job about which he does not complain. He meticulously prepares a breakfast tray for his wife, Molly, and brings it to her in bed “Everything on it? Bread and butter, four, sugar, spoon, her cream.

Concern is something which Stephen feels only for himself; he primarily thinks only of his personal well being.

Stephen is completely self involved. ” (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.

Common topics in this essay:
Leopold Bloom, Stephens Stephen, Stephen Throughout, Molly Bloom, Buck Mulligan, Bloom Stephens, Stephen Dedalus, James Joyce, Stephen Bloom, Joyces Ulysses, mature complex, rounded mature, leopold bloom, rounded mature complex, bloom rounded mature, bloom rounded, stephen dedalus, reader learns, fine tang faintly, character stephen, character bloom, scented urine 65, urine 65, lack self, tang faintly scented,

Approximate Word count = 1026
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Already a member? Click here