The Christ-like hero

When first reading this section I felt like asking Joyce if he intended for this book to be readable for an audience not living and aware of early nineteenth century, Irish current events. However, as the discussion between the evening drunks gets further into themes of nationalism and as the idea of strangers and what a nation is comes to the fore, things cease being so time specific and we can see larger themes that are brought forth by Bloom.

In his attempt to widen the perspectives of the Irish men around him he states the his nation is Ireland, and that as a jew he also knows what it is like to be oppressed and persecuted as the Irish are by the English. He then states that there is no sense in violent reactions to this because it is everywhere. It is not just the Jews and the Irish. He spouts some sentimental talk of universla love.

All of this, rather than putting him on equal footing with the men around him, makes into a suspicious character whose sexuality is questionable, whose money situation is enviable, and who cannot be trusted. In this chapter Bloom goes from the "prudent member" to having tin cans thrown at him. The use of different newspaper writing styles makes us think of Bloom's job. Some of the over the top nineteenth century romantic/ sentimental exposition made me think of the novels Molly likes to read, and the use of biblical or myth/legend language connected to Homer and the Bible which bring to mind Bloom as a hero, but not just any hero, but the christ-like hero. That the citizen wants to crucify him and that at the ned of the chapter he ascends to heaven are explicit examples of how Bloom is shaping up as the hero we felt he would show himself to be in this novel. Or has it become a montage of writing genres? Journalism, parody, hyperbole, heretical? Maybe so.