The Epiphany Theme in James Joyce's Ulysses James Joyce's Ulysses is a novel of epic proportions that has been proclaimed the greatest piece of literature of the twentieth century. Ulysses is set in Dublin, Ireland on June 16, 1904. The book is full of parallels, metaphors, and experimental literary techniques. However, a dominant theme is that of epiphany. Not necessarily religious in meaning, the Joycean idea of ​​epiphany is a sudden discovery of the essential nature or meaning of something. In Ulysses, Joyce describes the quests of two main protagonists, Leopold Bloom and Stephen Dedalus, both individuals who desire something more. As the day progresses the two characters unknowingly cross paths until, as a result of their day, they finally meet. In doing so, they find in each other humanistic ideals, in the form of individual epiphanies, necessary to satisfy their desires. Joyce uses these epiphanies to represent his theme of a single day's ability to act as a microcosm of the many facets of human society. Stephen Dedalus is first introduced in a tower block in Sandycove that he is renting and sharing with "friend" Buck Mulligan. . During the morning routine it becomes apparent that Stephen is angry, at Mulligan and the situation, and after a conversation full of ridicule and annoyance, Stephen vows not to return to the tower that night. Stephen, now homeless, takes to the streets hoping to find comfort in the city. Stephen recently returned to Dublin from self-exile in Paris. He has a degree and is very educated, especially in the linguistic and humanistic fields. However, as he has grown in learning and experience, he still lacks the essential characteristics... middle of the paper... shows that not only Stephen grew up that day. By showing in full the transpiration of a single day and the effect it has on two distinct yet dynamic characters, James Joyce has made Ulysses a book about humanity's achievement. It is hard to believe that a novel that had such a battle with censors due to its "obscenity" could represent society in a moral and positive way. But in less than 24 hours of action, almost 800 pages of language, you can find a lot of things. One is the family's struggle, shown through Stephen (son), Bloom (father), and Molly (mother). Even more important is the power of a day, with its events and epiphanies, and the fact that that day could be any day or all days. Bibliography Joyce, James. Ulysses. Modern Library Edition, 1934. Tindall, William York. A Reader's Guide to James Joyce. Published by Syracuse University Press, 1959