The paper explores how, through deep analogy and metaphor, James Joyce allegorizes a paternal
relationship between Stephen
Dedalus and Leopold Bloom in his novel, "Ulysses". It shows that, strained by both of their insecurities, Dedalus and Bloom never bathe in the warm glory of a true father-son
relationship. The paper discusses how throughout "Ulysses", Joyce presents, through his characters and to his readers, the question: What is love? More importantly, are humans capable of attaining and expressing love? It shows that with a series of relationships between son and mother, son and father, husband and wife, friend and friend,
country and citizen, colony and "mother" country, Joyce demonstrates the simultaneous longing for and failure of human affection.