At the end of James Joyce's epic novel Ulysses, the narrative culminates in two distinct yet interconnected moments: the brief, understated parting of Leopold Bloom and Stephen Dedalus, followed by the intimate, deeply personal internal monologue of Molly Bloom.
The Concluding Moments of Ulysses
The novel's conclusion moves away from the traditional resolution often found in literature, instead offering a more ambiguous and reflective close that mirrors the complexities of human experience.
Stephen and Bloom: A Fleeting Connection
After their odyssey through Dublin, Leopold Bloom and Stephen Dedalus, having shared a brief but significant period of companionship and mutual understanding, ultimately separate. Their interaction is depicted as a throwaway encounter, a moment of potential connection that is broken off before it has a chance to blossom into a more lasting or defined relationship.
- Shared Space: They return to Bloom's home at Eccles Street, where they share cocoa and engage in a quiet, intellectual exchange.
- Unfulfilled Potential: Despite the implied "father-son" dynamic and the intellectual kinship, Stephen declines Bloom's offer to stay the night and a potential breakfast invitation. He leaves to pursue his own path, signifying that while their paths crossed meaningfully, they are not destined to intertwine permanently.
- Symbolism: This parting emphasizes themes of individuality, the search for connection, and the fleeting nature of human relationships. Bloom, the everyman, offers domestic warmth, while Stephen, the artist, remains committed to his solitary intellectual journey.
Molly Bloom's Soliloquy: "Penelope"
Following Stephen's departure, Bloom retires to bed where he is joined by his wife, Molly. The novel then transitions into its final and arguably most famous chapter, "Penelope," which is Molly Bloom's stream-of-consciousness monologue. This extensive, unpunctuated internal reflection covers a vast array of her thoughts on her life, relationships, desires, and memories.
This is described as the celibate encounter of Bloom and Molly in the conjugal bed, as their physical proximity in bed is juxtaposed with the intensely private, internal world Molly inhabits in her thoughts. While they share the same physical space, their experiences are deeply individual.
- Intimate Reflection: Molly's soliloquy offers a raw, unfiltered glimpse into her inner world. She reflects on her past lovers, her husband Leopold, her dreams, and her understanding of life and love.
- Themes of Affirmation: The monologue famously concludes with Molly's repeated "yes," a powerful affirmation of life, love, and sexuality, encompassing her acceptance of the past, present, and future. This "yes" is often interpreted as a counterpoint to Bloom's wandering and Stephen's intellectual detachment, grounding the novel in a powerful, earthy acceptance.
- Feminine Perspective: This chapter is unique for its immersive portrayal of a woman's unedited thoughts, breaking traditional narrative conventions and offering a profound insight into the feminine psyche at the turn of the 20th century.
Juxtaposition of Endings
Unlike traditional novels that often culminate in clear resolutions like marriage or a definitive change in status, Ulysses concludes with ambiguity and a continuation of life's internal processes. The brief, almost accidental nature of Bloom and Stephen's farewell contrasts sharply with the vast, introspective universe of Molly's mind, yet both endings signify movement forward rather than a definitive close.
| Aspect | Traditional Novel Ending | Ulysses Ending |
|---|---|---|
| Character Resolution | Often resolves major conflicts, leads to marriage/new status. | Bloom and Stephen part with unfulfilled potential; Molly's monologue affirms life without external resolution. |
| Narrative Focus | External events, plot progression towards a climax. | Shifts from external journey to internal stream of consciousness. |
| Emotional Tone | Often a sense of closure, triumph, or tragedy. | An expansive, affirmative, yet open-ended reflection on life's continuous flow. |
| Societal Integration | Characters integrate into a new societal role. | Focus on individual experience within domestic intimacy and memory. |
The conclusion of Ulysses solidifies its status as a landmark modernist novel, prioritizing psychological depth and the fluidity of consciousness over conventional plot resolution. For more insights into the novel's structure and themes, resources like Wikipedia's Ulysses (novel) page or analyses from academic literary sites are invaluable.
