How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph), except for the "Circe" episode, which is (Chapter.Line) and the "Penelope" episode, which is (Chapter.Page). We used the Vintage International edition published in 1990.
Quote #10
"- Simple? I shouldn't think that is the proper word. Of course, I grant you, to concede a point, you do knock across a simple soul once in a blue moon. But what I am anxious to arrive at is it is one thing for instance to invent those rays Röntgen did, or the telescope like Edison, though I believe it was before his time, Galileo was the man I mean. The same applies to the laws, for example, of a farreaching natural phenomenon such as electricity but it's a horse of quite another colour to say you believe in the existence of a supernatural God."
"- O, that," Stephen expostulated, "has been proved conclusively by several of the best known passages in Holy Writ, apart from circumstantial evidence." (16.151-152)
Here, in "Eumaeus," Bloom presses the point on whether or not there is such a thing as the human soul. Stephen, still drunk and groggy from his absinthe, isn't too enthused about the discussion. Plus he doesn't like when people disagree with him. Does Bloom's intense scientism leave any room for religion or spirituality? Is Stephen's answer earnest? If it's ironic, why doesn't he answer Bloom straight? What might a straight answer from Stephen look like?