Bob Doran Character Analysis in Ulysses

Bob Doran is a Dublin man who mostly avoids alcohol, but he goes on a wild drinking binge once a year. This happens to be on June 16, during the events of Ulysses. In the “Cyclops” episode, he rambles incoherently and stumbles over himself in Barney Kiernan’s pub. He originally appeared in Dubliners.

Bob Doran Character Timeline in Ulysses

The timeline below shows where the character Bob Doran appears in Ulysses. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...quickly forces himself to stop thinking about this scene. He’s distracted by the sight of Bob Doran on his once-a-year drinking bender. In the early years of his marriage, he and Molly... (full context)

...(Blazes Boylan) holding a flower in his mouth and talking to a drunk man ( Bob Doran ). He runs into other schoolboys and wonders if they see him mourning, or if... (full context)

Literature, Meaning, and Perspective Theme Icon

Irish Identity and Nationalism Theme Icon

...many English names in its listing of births, deaths, and marriages. While the men drink, Bob Doran is passed out in the corner. Alf Bergan enters the bar and points to something... (full context)

Religion, Atheism, and Philosophy Theme Icon

...Joe Hynes clarifies that Paddy Dignam is dead, but Alf can scarcely believe it. Meanwhile, Bob Doran calls out from his corner, “Who are you laughing at? […] Who’s dead?” In a... (full context)

The citizen spots Leopold Bloom outside the bar. Meanwhile, Bob Doran curses Christ for letting Dignam die. Terry O’Ryan comes down to shut Bob up, and... (full context)

...to another, and Joe Hynes and the citizen start talking excitedly about Irish nationalist revolutionaries. Bob Doran starts rambling and playing with the dog Garryowen; Alf barely saves him from falling off... (full context)

Bob Doran stumbles over to Bloom and expresses his condolences to Mrs. Dignam about Paddy Dignam’s death.... (full context)

...Bloom, who insists that he’s “doing good to others.” Cake-munching seagulls fly past and drunk Bob Doran briefly materializes to pet the dog. Bloom explains that he’s good to animals, and a... (full context)