Symbolism, Imagery, Allegory
William Spiver asks Flora what's up with the shepherd lamp when she brings it along on their rescue mission (57.39), and we can't help but wonder the same thing. The lamp, a.k.a. Mary Ann, is a shepherdess to the lost, and we know that Flora hates the thing, but why?
When we're first told about the lamp, Flora gives us a hint. She tells us about how her mom had the lamp specially shipped in from London because she loves it so much… but then we hear what Flora thinks about this:
Flora's mother never called Flora beautiful. She never said that she loved her with all her heart. Luckily, Flora was a cynic and didn't care whether her mother loved her or not. (10.17)
It's not so much that the lamp holds any special powers or anything—instead it's the fact that Flora feels like her mom cares way more about some stupid lamp than her own daughter. She might tell us that she's a cynic and doesn't care, but we know that's not true, and the lamp represents the lack of love Flora feels. It is a symbol for her mother's ability to openly love, and a reminder that she mostly doesn't share this with her daughter.
Flora tells Ulysses she wishes the lamp didn't live with them, and even holds it hostage when on her rescue mission. And when Flora does both of these things, it's clear that the lamp is like a rival as far as Flora's concerned when it comes to receiving her mom's love and attention. Hey—some of us have to share our parents with siblings, and some of us have to share them with lamps.