Wondering Rocks

What does one take from synchronistic events? In life, I take little; in literature, I assume that it is a devise used by the author in order to create parallels between certain characters or events, which points to the reader to read-into these parallels, and take significance from this process. However, Joyce is more playful then the average author, and to use the word synchronicity to describe this episode might be an overstatement. We see what is happening in relation to most of the characters of the book, around the same time of day.
The throwaway recurs. Elijah is mentioned. Both Bloom and Stephen reject the idea of a messiah, nothing new. We see Stephen and Bloom’s roles reversed. Haines and Buck agree that Stephen is not an artist, and that his mind is imbalanced. He will never produce a work of literature. Bloom, however, is described as having “a touch of the artist about (him).” Bloom is also mentioned for putting down a mentionable sum for Dignam family, and is actually shown respect. In addition, a story is retold, about a time Molly, Bloom, Lenehan, and another man went to a play, and on the way back, Molly was stealthily being felt up by Lenehan, while Bloom was focused on the starts, which evokes the idea that Bloom is more forces on the ideal, which is normally Stephen’s realm.
The Dedalus family is pitiful in this episode, and one of the most touching scenes happens between Stephen and his poor, hungry little sister. “She is drowning. Agenbite. Save her. Agenbite. All against us. She will drown me with her, eyes and hair. Lank coils of seaweed hair around me, my heart, my soul. Salt green death. / We. / Agenbite of inwit. Inwit’s agenbite. / Misery! Misery!” Stephen’s impotence to save his family is comparable to Bloom’s impotence. He is unable or unwilling to provide for his family; his father does a poor job of it, callously reprimanding Dilly for slouching, when she barely has the strength to stand up straight; he drinks their money away. “Our father who not in heaven,” could relate to the throwaway.
Blazes Bolyan is mentioned among ripe fruits, with a red carnation in his mouth. As he prepares a basket for Molly, Bloom searches for a saucy book for her, and decides upon one, which tells a tale of adultery. We see, again, that Bloom will do anything to please Molly.
This episode seems a little more distant to me, and little less meaningful then the others, perhaps because it tends to be focused around the clergymen, and the cavalcade of the officials. This one event brings most of the townspeople to one central focus, and gives us a glimpse of all of the characters, from maybe, a more objective view.