# Chapter XI: Sirens explained — Ulysses

> Chapter companion for Ulysses by James Joyce.

## What happens

In the Ormond Hotel bar, Bloom listens to music and singing while reflecting on love, desire, and memory. Simon Dedalus and Ben Dollard perform, and Bloom observes the barmaids Miss Douce and Miss Kennedy. He thinks of Molly, Martha, and his own past, while Boylan passes by on his way to meet Molly.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Body and Sensuality

Bloom's thoughts and the music evoke sensual imagery of desire, touch, and the female body.

### Memory and History

Bloom recalls his first meeting with Molly at Mat Dillon's, and the song 'The Croppy Boy' invokes historical memory of rebellion.

### Language and Communication

The chapter explores the interplay of music, words, and nonverbal communication, as seen in Bloom's reflections on song and gesture.

## Character check-ins

### Leopold Bloom

Bloom sits in the Ormond Hotel bar, listening to music, reflecting on love and desire, and thinking of Molly and Martha.

### Simon Dedalus

Simon Dedalus sings and praises Ben Dollard's performance.

### Ben Dollard

Ben Dollard sings 'The Croppy Boy' and is praised by the others.

### Miss Douce

Miss Douce flirts with George Lidwell and listens to the music.

### Miss Kennedy

Miss Kennedy listens to the music and interacts with the patrons.

### Blazes Boylan

Boylan is seen walking past the Ormond Hotel, on his way to meet Molly.

## Key lines

> Love that is singing: love's old sweet song.

Love is expressed through singing, the timeless melody of romance.

_Bloom reflects on the connection between love and music._

> Tenors get women by the score. Increase their flow.

Tenor singers attract many women and stir their emotions.

_Bloom muses on the allure of male singers._

> Flood of warm jimjam lickitup secretness flowed to flow in music out, in desire, dark to lick flow, invading.

A wave of warm, secret desire pours out through the music, dark and invasive.

_Bloom's sensual response to the music is described in visceral terms._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ulysses_se/chapters/xi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ulysses_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ulysses_se/chapters