Ulysses takes place in Dublin and follows the experiences of Leopold Bloom, Stephen Dedalus, and Molly Bloom over the course of a single day—June 16, 1904. The novel delves into themes of identity, the complexities of daily life, and the inner workings of the human mind, blending the mundane with deep introspection. The story begins with Buck Mulligan and Stephen Dedalus at a Martello tower overlooking Dublin Bay. Mulligan, lively and irreverent, prepares for the day in a humorous way, while Stephen, burdened by grief and guilt over his mother’s death, reflects on his troubled past and complicated relationship with Mulligan.