Ulysses

Ulysses

by

James Joyce

Corny Kelleher Character Analysis

Corny Kelleher is the assistant at H.J. O’Neill’s funeral parlor, but he also works as a police informant on the side. He helps conduct Dignam’s funeral in “Hades,” appears briefly in “Wandering Rocks,” and helps break up Stephen’s fight with Private Carr in “Circe.” During this last scene, he and Bloom acknowledge the awkwardness of seeing each other in nighttown—but it’s unclear whether Corny is there for police business or personal pleasure.
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Corny Kelleher Character Timeline in Ulysses

The timeline below shows where the character Corny Kelleher appears in Ulysses. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Episode 5: Lotus Eaters
Literature, Meaning, and Perspective Theme Icon
...Dublin, observing the homes, businesses, and people he passes. He thinks about the “police tout” Corny Kelleher and stops to look in the Belfast and Oriental Tea Company shop window. After pulling... (full context)
Episode 10: Wandering Rocks
Literature, Meaning, and Perspective Theme Icon
Religion, Atheism, and Philosophy Theme Icon
Irish Identity and Nationalism Theme Icon
...passes two churches and a number of local businesses, like H.J. O’Neill’s funeral parlor, where Corny Kelleher works. He salutes the parlor’s owners and patrons. Conmee boards a tram on Newcomen Bridge... (full context)
Literature, Meaning, and Perspective Theme Icon
Fate vs. Free Will Theme Icon
The episode’s second section starts with Corny Kelleher closing the funeral parlor’s account book. He spins around a coffin lid, chews on a... (full context)
Episode 12: Cyclops
Literature, Meaning, and Perspective Theme Icon
Love and Sex Theme Icon
Irish Identity and Nationalism Theme Icon
...to deal with her husband’s madness. The Breens pass by again on the street with Corny Kelleher . Joe Hynes asks about the case of the scammer who sold people false tickets... (full context)
Episode 15: Circe
Literature, Meaning, and Perspective Theme Icon
Fate vs. Free Will Theme Icon
On the street, Bloom sees Corny Kelleher get out of a carriage, then runs off in the direction that Stephen went. Bloom... (full context)
Alienation and the Quest for Belonging Theme Icon
Literature, Meaning, and Perspective Theme Icon
Love and Sex Theme Icon
Fate vs. Free Will Theme Icon
Religion, Atheism, and Philosophy Theme Icon
The undertaker Corny Kelleher joins the crowd while Bloom identifies Stephen to the police. Corny comments that Bloom won... (full context)