The article delves into the significance of the adjective "plump" in James Joyce's Ulysses, particularly in relation to the character Buck Mulligan and his impact on Stephen Dedalus's artistic and personal development. It analyzes how Joyce employs the motif of "plump" to symbolize Mulligan's mocking and oppressive presence throughout the novel, contrasting it with more positive associations linked to other characters like Molly Bloom.