The Cyclops

The working day is over now, and the Dubliners are hitting the bars.

The Cyclops is an entertaining episode, but it is also a puzzling one. We have a new narrator, and his vision is indeed limited, because everything he looks at he sees in the worst light possible. His recollections of the characters show them all at their most unflattering moments, and his interpretations of others' actions are always unkind. Here we see Bloom's unusually sympathetic mind as a weakness of character, the sign of one who is neither "fish nor flesh." The problem is that it's all a bit too convincing—Bloom really does come off as a bit of a fool. Was this what Joyce intended, or did the author just have a little too much fun sketching out the anti-Bloom?

We also meet the Citizen, a fierce nationalist. He too only sees issues from one side, so is he meant to be a mockery of partisan politics? At one time I assumed so, but now, after having noticed the large amount of political subtext in the book, I'm not so sure. Likely there are subtle clues to Joyce's attitude towards the Citizen that I am missing due to my unfamiliarity with the politics being discussed. Regardless, he is not a sympathetic character by any means; he is an anti-Semite, and we see that what really sparks him to action and physical protest is when he thinks that Bloom has won money at the racetrack and is refusing to buy a round of drinks.

The Cyclops also contains one of my favorite passages in the book:

—How's Willy Murray those times, Alf?

—I don't know, says Alf. I saw him just now in Capel Street with Paddy Dignam. Only I was running after that...

—You what? says Joe, throwing down the letters. With who?

—With Dignam, says Alf.

—Is it Paddy? says Joe.

—Yes, says Alf. Why?

—Don't you know he's dead? says Joe.

—Paddy Dignam dead? says Alf.

—Ay, says Joe.

—Sure I'm after seeing him not five minutes ago, says Alf, as plain as a pikestaff.

—Who's dead? says Bob Doran.

—You saw his ghost, then, says Joe, God between us and harm.

—What? says Alf. Good Christ, only five...What?...and Willie Murray with him, the two of them there near whatdoyoucallhim's...What? Dignam dead?

—What about Dignam? says Bob Doran. Who's talking about...?

—Dead! says Alf. He is no more dead than you are.

—Maybe so, says Joe. They took the liberty of burying him this morning anyhow.