The story in one page
Leopold Bloom spends his Thursday in Dublin attending a funeral, buying kidneys for breakfast, and dodging the orbit of his wife's concert promoter. Stephen Dedalus wanders the city debating philosophy and mourning his deceased mother. As the hours pass, the narrative captures the internal thoughts, mundane errands, and drunken encounters of various residents. By night, the city's energy converges in a brothel district where Bloom and Stephen finally meet. The day concludes back at the Bloom residence, where a long, wandering internal monologue traces memories of Gibraltar, past lovers, and the marriage proposal on Howth Head, eventually settling on a final, definitive affirmation of life.
Who's who
- Leopold Bloom
A wandering canvasser navigating the city and his own domestic insecurities.
- Stephen Dedalus
A young, brooding intellectual haunted by the ghost of his mother.
- Molly Bloom
An opera singer whose thoughts close the narrative in a stream-of-consciousness monologue.
- Buck Mulligan
A medical student and jester who mocks Stephen's religious and artistic anxieties.
What it's really about
- Memory
- Past events dictate current thoughts and personal griefs.
- Urban life
- City streets provide the framework for human interaction.
Why it's memorable
- The final page consists entirely of the word yes.
- A bar of lemon soap follows Bloom throughout his day.
The ending, explained
Spoilers — show the ending
Molly Bloom concludes the day with a lengthy internal meditation on her past, eventually recalling her proposal on Howth Head and ending with a final, emphatic agreement to life.
For your book club
- The text uses an ever-shifting style for every episode.
- It renders the internal monologue as a constant, unfiltered stream.