Stand up for yourself! (Part Two)

As we learn more and more about Bloom and his supporting cast that he runs in to throughout his day, a lot of preconceptions about Bloom change. Since my last post about Bloom and his inability to not only deal with his problems head on, but also to actually realize that he is mocked by many men in Ireland, I have come to understand (after reading Episodes 12 & 13) that Adam Stoller made a good point, I do not think that Bloom will ever come to face these men, and his reputation throughout Dublin will probably continue to be rather poor for the remainder of his days.

Bloom just seems to not understand that he is not highly thought of. After episode twelve's scuffle with the citizen and the rest of the men in the bar talking behind Bloom's back and showing disgust whenever he attempts to enter into a conversation, and Bloom thinking in episode thirteen that "oh maybe the citizen was joking and did not mean what he was doing when he threw that biscuit tin at the car"

Men judge Bloom because of his Jewish heritage and his falling-apart relationship with Molly (among other things), where he is basically being led around by a string by Molly. One thing I can give to Bloom is that at least he is not oblivious to the fact that Boylan and Molly may have something going on secretly. But even giving him this takes more away from him because I do not believe (from waht I know about Bloom so far through episode 13) is that he will never stand up to Molly or Boylan. He will never call out their relationship and try to fix his own with Molly. It is rather sad and pathetic that Bloom, although he may be a bit odd (he basically masturbated in front of a girl at the beach then got up and tried to fix his stained shirt in episode thirteen) he is still a rather good man who cares about his daughter and avoids drinking binges and owing money and all the other problems that the rest of these men who judge Bloom have. It seems to me that all these men are the pot calling the kettle black. But that is one thing that makes this book interesting, this is the way it works in real life. Men are quick to judge and be hypocritical without solving their own problems.