Faubourg Saint Patrice - ScholarsArchive at Oregon State University

Bloom from his surroundings: "Joyce intended that Bloom should separate himself
decisively from Christian conceptions of death" (Ulysses 49). As evident throughout
the novel, Bloom, like Stephen, is mentally isolated, searching, as did the wandering
Odysseus, for his homeland. Early in the episode, Bloom views Stephen walking along
the beach and indicates Stephen's physical solitude to Simon Dedalus, who questioned
whether "that Mulligan cad" is with his son: "No.. .He was alone" (6.50). While this
simple statement indicates the physical isolation of Stephen, it also suggests the parallel
nature of Bloom's and Stephen's isolated but converging physical and spiritual journeys.
Moreover, as the jovial discourse continues between Cunningham, Power, and
Simon Dedalus, Bloom continues with his alienated interior monologue and is excluded
from much of the conversation. Viewing Reuben J. Dodd, the moneylender, walk past
the procession, the anti-Semitic slurs begin, thus introducing one of the major discourses
of the novel. Ironically, "with sudden eagerness," Bloom attempts to enter the
conversation, describing a vignette about Dodd's son, but he is rudely interrupted by the
usually congenial Cunningham (6.276). Unable to compete with the storytelling skills of
his companions, he lapses back into the folds of his thoughts. This scene encapsulates
Bloom's desire to be accepted within his culture and the inability of his compatriots to
accept him as one of their own.
Fittingly, the Catholic concept of death becomes the primary focus of Bloom's
religious critique in "Hades." Upon learning of Dignam's death by apoplexy, Bloom
opines that a sudden death is "the best death" because it causes minimal suffering to the
victim (6.312) 21. This surprises his Catholic companions who believe in the importance
49