Abstract
This essay addresses ways in which Bloom is mismeasured by himself and by others. The ideal set by Eugen Sandow, "the perfect man," establishes a physical standard Leopold Bloom can only fail to meet; the Citizen and other barflies in "Cyclops," as well as Bloom's projections of Buck Mulligan and others in "Circe," claim variously that he is demented, deformed, and diseased. Such cruel diagnoses reflect anti-Semitic and anti-Gaelic prejudices deriving from folklore, scientific racism, and eugenics. Because the physical and psychological failings attributed to Bloom—some of them positively lunatic in nature—are so comically exaggerated, we are brought to appreciate Bloom's value. Declared repeatedly to be abnormal and even subnormal, he expands our sense of what normal is.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callSimilar Papers
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
