Throughout Episode 4, we find ourselves immersed in Leopold Bloom’s stream-of-consciousness, much like that of Stephen Dedalus’ in Episode 3. Having these two so close together, we are able to see a contrast between both characters in their trains of thought. Stephen Dedalus’ thoughts and questions often seem out of place or make him seem like a lost soul, “Endless would it be mine, form of my form? Who watches me here? Who watches me here? Who ever anywhere will read these written words?” (3.414-415)

Leopold Bloom on the other hand tends to wonder about things in a whimsical sense, asking “why” or “what if” questions. The very first question that he asks himself is what he looks like in the eyes of his cat, “Height of a tower?” These thoughts continue to appear throughout the story generating from pure curiosity which, when compared to Stephen Dedalus, shows that his questions are much more light-hearted.

Molly heself shows curiosity when she asks Leopold what the word “Metempsychosis” means. He briefly explains that it is the “transmigration of souls” (4. 342) and later elaborates saying that it is “what the ancient Greeks called it. They used to believe you could be changed into an animal or a tree, for instance.” (3.375-376) Here, Joyce is setting up what will be a big theme through out the rest of his text.