Ulysses · Chapter
Aeolus explained
In the newspaper office, Leopold Bloom attempts to place an advertisement for Alexander Keyes, while Stephen Dedalus arrives with a letter from Mr Deasy.
What happens
In the newspaper office, Leopold Bloom attempts to place an advertisement for Alexander Keyes, while Stephen Dedalus arrives with a letter from Mr Deasy. The chapter is filled with rhetorical flourishes, discussions of oratory and journalism, and a memorable speech by John F. Taylor about cultural revival.
Themes in this chapter
Language and Communication
The chapter is structured around rhetorical figures and newspaper jargon, highlighting the power and artifice of language.
Nationalism and Colonialism
Taylor's speech contrasts Egyptian (colonial) arrogance with Jewish (Irish) resilience, directly engaging with themes of cultural subjugation and revival.
The Ordinary and the Epic
The mundane setting of a newspaper office is juxtaposed with grand oratory and historical allusions, blending the everyday with the monumental.
Characters to notice
- Leopold Bloom
Visits the newspaper office to arrange an ad for Keyes, proposing the 'House of Keys' design.
- Stephen Dedalus
Arrives at the newspaper office with Mr Deasy's letter; listens to the discussion and Taylor's speech.
- Myles Crawford
The editor, energetic and bombastic, recalls the North Cork militia and Ohio.
- Professor MacHugh
Recounts John F. Taylor's famous speech about cultural revival and the Egyptian highpriest.
- Ned Lambert
Reads aloud a florid passage from the newspaper, amusing the group.
- Simon Dedalus
Mocks the bombastic prose and leaves with Ned Lambert for a drink.
- J. J. O'Molloy
Present in the office, comments on the Trinity college estates commission.
- Lenehan
Emerges from the inner office with racing tissues, offering a tip for the Gold cup.
Key passages
“The idea, Mr Bloom said, is the house of keys. You know, councillor, the Manx parliament. Innuendo of home rule.”
Bloom explains that the ad design symbolically suggests Home Rule, using the Manx parliament as a subtle reference.
Bloom's clever marketing pitch ties commerce to political sentiment.
“It was the speech, mark you, the professor said, of a finished orator, full of courteous haughtiness and pouring in chastened diction, I will not say the vials of his wrath but pouring the proud man's contumely upon the new movement.”
Professor MacHugh describes Fitzgibbon's speech as elegantly arrogant, disdainful of the Irish language revival.
Sets up the contrast for Taylor's powerful reply.
“Why will you jews not accept our culture, our religion and our language? You are a tribe of nomad herdsmen; we are a mighty people.”
In Taylor's imagined speech, the Egyptian highpriest dismisses the Hebrews as primitive, mirroring colonial attitudes toward Ireland.
Directly parallels the Irish experience under British rule.