Is this one of the most brilliant things I've read? Possibly.

Seeing that this chapter is a long series of questions and answers it would be silly to think that not a lot is answered with this section. When Bloom invites Stephen to stay in the room above the kitchen that narrator asks, “What various advantages would or might have resulted from a prolongation of such extemporization?” (695). And each person of the house is benefited “For the guest: security of domicile and seclusion of study.” So Stephen would get the most practical benefit, an inviting home. “For the host: rejuvenation of intelligence, vicarious satisfaction.” Bloom shows signs or wanting a son or regretting never having one throughout the whole book. But when Stephen is portrayed as “the son” it’s a unique sort of emotion. If Bloom is rejuvenated by Stephen, and Bloom was Stephen’s age 16 years ago (679), then he would feel like the age when Milly was born. But if anything this rejuvenation seems to be an intellectual one, reminding him of the time when he was out of school and ambitious. “For the hostess: disintegration of obsession, acquisition of correct Italian pronunciation.” This line “disintegration of obsession” is really ambiguous. Could this be a referral to an obsession like Bloom’s over Rudy? Maybe this refers to Molly’s obsession with Boylan. Or Stephen could simply answer what metempsychosis is. In the next chapter we do see Molly think about living with Stephen, mentioning that she would like to have a conversation with an intelligent man. So later there is no mention of what this obsession may be. This definitely one line I ponder.

But beyond reaching a new level of connection with Stephen, Mr. Leopold Bloom also overcomes his problem with Molly. Not only do we learn that it has been ten years since they had sex, but “complete mental intercourse between himself and the listener has not taken place since the consummation of puberty” (136). But in this chapter Bloom overcomes this usurpation of his marriage but coming to grips with Boylan and Molly. The first thing he thinks is that while many men might sleep with Molly, she is still his man. Every adulterer is “imagining himself to be first, last, only and alone, whereas he is neither first nor last nor only nor alone in a series origination in a repeated to infinity” (731). But with these men Bloom feels “envy, jealousy, abnegation, and equanimity” (732). He is envious of fully function penises. Jealousy comes about because an attraction to others would mean Molly is not attracted to him. I don’t really understand what the “abnegation” answer is referring to, but I want to sum it up as a denial of silly distractions. And last is equanimity, in which Bloom pretty much says that having sex with others is natural, and not a crime compared to other acts. Eventually I think Bloom’s take on his marriage is summarized in the line “divorce, not now” (733). I read this a Bloom thinking if these affairs create controversy, then the couple should split. But as of now Bloom has retaken his wife and home and his bed may remain unmovable.