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“Oxen of the Sun” is a notoriously difficult chapter in Ulysses. However, amid the obscure references, signifiers, and parodies there was one theme that stood out to me.
That theme was personal and collective memory. There are a few paragraphs that delve into the pasts of Stephen and Bloom, such as the long description of Bloom on page 337 “chewing the cud of reminiscence” (line 1041–2) and ends with:
“No, Leopold. Name and memory solace thee not. That youthful illusion of thy strength was taken from thee — and in vain. No son of thy loins is by thee. There is none now to be for Leopold, what Leopold was for Rudolph.” (line 1074–7)
For me this is a poignant passage not only for its depressing, regretful tone but also for what it suggests about creativity. That is, truly great creative works are produced from the accumulation of memories. I believe this works on a few symbolic levels.
On the most literal level, a child is the product of their parents’ memories in the form of genetic material, personal experiences, and cultural heritage. Children and descendants, in evolutionary terms, are a way for people to become immortal and pass on their personal legacy. That’s why it’s so profoundly disappointing that most the young characters in Ulysses, such as Milly and Dilly, are desperately trying to break…
