A+Portrait+of+the+Artist+as+a+Young+Man

__​Key Plot Events

Key Characters__
 * 1) Stephen Dedalus- modeled after James Joyce because many of the events are based after real events that occurred in Joyce's life; rejects all society by the end and lives freely as an artist. Stephan goes through different phases throughout his life, including deep religious feelings. He ends up accepting aestheticism. The transitions of his life are highlighted by the epiphanies that he has in each section of the book.
 * 2) Simon Dedalus- father, symbolizes the burdens Stephen’s family put on him; alcoholic; has a strong sense of Irish patriotism
 * 3) Emma Clery- “beloved”; first poem is written to her; symbolizes fertility; pure, distant
 * 4) Charles Stewart Parnell- Irish political leader condemned by Catholic Church because of his affair with a married woman; Dante (Aunt) opposed him
 * 5) Cranly- best friend at the university, does not understand Stephen’s need for independence, need for freedom vs. fear of loneliness
 * 6) Father Arnall- devout priest at the university, prompts Dedalus to Catholicism; his series of lectures about death and going to hell greatly influence Stephan
 * 7) Mr. John Casey - attends Christmas dinner with the Dedalus family; a friend of Stephan; strong sense of Irish patriotism; participates in the dinner arguement

__Setting (time and place)__ 1882–1903; Primarily Dublin, Ireland and the surrounding area

__Key Symbols__

Dedalus - Stephen's last name is an allusion to the inventor Daedelus, whose son died when he flew to close to the sun. Comparison between Stephen's ability to create artistically what Daedelus could create architecturally.

Birds-Birds have a great symbolic significance throughout the novel. Once, when Stephen watches the birds depart from the university step, they represent departure and lonliness. However, they also symbolize change, because they are constantly fleeting. They reflect Stephen's internal change throughout the novel.

__Key Images

Key Themes__


 * 1) There must be a balance between fun/excitement and religious devotion in order to live life fully. The two extremes of being completely sinful and being completely devout are false and harmful as they prevent him from fully experiencing being human.
 * 2) We must learn to balance our desires with the danger of overestimating our own abilities (Icarus’ flight too close to the sun).
 * 3) National and familial politics can push us in our quests for independence and freedom.
 * 4) Even if ideals of beauty are different, the universal process of defining beauty remains the same.
 * 5) A calling and devotion to become a genius requires work and sacrifice
 * 6) Epiphanies guide the novel by showing the process of development of Stephen’s journey through each section (relates to how we are guided by turning points as well).
 * 7) Stream of Consciousness shows the inner development of the mind and thoughts from childhood to adulthood.
 * 8) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Time and real life experiences produce internal epiphanies which further uplift the soul in the end.

__Key Structural Elements__ <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Stephen’s epiphanies: <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; msofareastfontfamily: Arial; msolist: Ignore;">1. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Standing up for himself to the rector after unfair treatment by a prefect. In this epiphany, Stephen takes his first large step towards independence, as for the first time he stands up for himself in the face of humiliation, and his efforts are rewarded. Not only does he leave the rector having accomplished his goal, but his achievement also wins him the respect of his peers which children at that age so badly desire. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; msofareastfontfamily: Arial; msolist: Ignore;">2. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">His first sexual encounter. Here, Stephen rejects the morals imposed upon him by his family and society, making way for the independent Stephen to take its place in the world. Additionally, the artistic Stephen begins to shine through in his act of rebellion, as during the encounter, instead of being consumed by the act, Stephen consciously ponders the range of emotions that he experiences. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; msofareastfontfamily: Arial; msolist: Ignore;">3. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Stephen’s walk through hell while listening to the priest’s sermon. Stephen seemingly takes a step back in the third part of the novel after not being ready for his epiphany in part 2, as the guilt he feels brings Stephen to retribution for his sin. However, Stephen ultimately rises stronger from his fall, ultimately rebounding from his guilt to learn the true value of religion. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; msofareastfontfamily: Arial; msolist: Ignore;">4. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Stephen sees a figure in the lake. Stephen’s rebound from religiosity in Chapter 4 - after having reached the pinnacle of the ascetic life he chooses with the advice of a priest to consider joining the clergy, yet still not filling the emptiness he feels - brings Stephen to wandering, where he views a form standing in a lake. Here, Stephen develops his aesthetic theory, the basis of his art and the single most important portion of his character. <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; msobidifontfamily: Calibri; msobidithemefont: minor-latin; msolist: Ignore;"> 5. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Stephen decides he must leave his home to become his own man. Upon coming home a more rounded, more understanding person from his university studies and revelations, Stephen makes the final decision that he must altogether leave his home in order to fully become the independent person that he is destined to become. His rejection of family, religion, and the home in which he grows up marks Stephen’s overcoming of all obstacles en route to fulfill his purpose of becoming an artist.
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">There is an epiphany in each section. These set up the next chapter in the novel and in his life as well (literally and figuratively).
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Book is set up into five sections that detail the development of Stephen's character from childhood to adulthood. (bildungsroman)