The novel’s protagonist, a Jewish advertising canvasser in Dublin. He represents Odysseus, wandering the city, dealing with themes of alienation, identity, and belonging.
One of the three central characters of Ulysses. He is half Jewish, but is uncircumcised and has been baptized as both a Protestant and a Catholic. He has held a variety of jobs; at the time of Ulysses, he sells advertising space in Dublin newspapers. He is married to Molly Bloom, and has two children, 15-year-old Milly Bloom, who lives in Mullingar and works as a photographer’s assistant, and Rudy, who died eleven days after he was born a little over ten years before Ulysses. Bloom uses the alias Henry Flower in his secret correspondence with Martha Clifford. He first appears in Calypso and subsequently appears or is mentioned in every episode.
TODOadd episodes?
Background
- Dublin-born and thrice baptized, but still known by many as Jewish
- Father was Hungarian-Jewish who converted; father died by suicide
- Mother is Irish-born
- Bloom is seemingly resented by other Dubliners
Alienation from Dublin
- Many see Bloom as token Jewish, which he often views himself
- Bloom is a lousy storyteller and an overthinker, whereas his colleguqes are quick witted and shallow
Daydreaming
- Bloom is also a day dreamer, but seemingly less so than Stephen - Bloom is more analytical, procdural
- Bloom is apparently a free mason
- Bloom’s son died 11 years ago, at age 11 months. The coupled haven’t had sex since, in part due to Bloom’s guilt over the Death
- Blooms seems to be subservient to his wife
The pragmatist considert of others always thiking about how things are poossible finaicallu
analytical