Throughout the first three chapters, there are relatively few instances of cooking or food. Rather, there seems to be an emphasis on drinking; whether it be tea, milk, or beer. There is the scene in which Stephen, Haines, and Buck are sitting down for breakfast that Buck had prepared which consists of bread, eggs, tea, and sugar. The milklady arrives and Buck arranges an order with her for milk. Stephen views the milklady as a symbol of the poor and subjected Irishwoman, an identity of Ireland that Stephen seems to rebuke. Ironically, is is Stephen’s friend Buck who is unable to afford his entire tab and must send the lady on her way.

Another instance of food appears in chapter 3 while Stephen pictures himself at his Aunt Sarah and Uncle Richie’s house. Richie offers up some food consisting of “rasher fried with a herring,” (33). However, Richie rescinds the offer, stating that all they have is backache pills. I presume Richie’s joke to be a slight towards Stephen, revealing a class distinction. Although I cannot attest to the availability of bacon and herring in Ireland at the time, it seems as if those foods might be reserved for special occasions. This scene is a projection of Stephen’s so it can be seen as a reflection of his attitudes toward his family. How might this projection inform us of his relationship to Richie and Aunt Sarah?