In Episode 14, the men discuss the well-argued question of whether or not, when in danger, a mother should be saved or her baby. The aftermath of such a downfall are alluded to in terms of religion. According to Stephen, “both babe and parent now glorify their Maker, the one in limbo gloom, the other in purgefire.” (14.224).  This question of who should survive bounces back and forth between the characters and incorporates religious-themed opinions from that of Stephen and Blooms avoiding the question of whether or not he would put Molly through such a decision. This avoidance causes Bloom to once again think about his son, whom he has already lost.

Stephen also brings up the idea of contraception into the conversation, saying “But, gramercy, what of those Godpossibled souls that we nightly impossiblise, which is the sin against the Holy Ghost, Very God, Lord and Giver of Life?”  In these comparisons, it almost seems like there must be sacrifice for someone, whether it be in terms of death, or the prevention of life in the first place.