Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man
In A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, the author James Joyce uses the development of Stephen from a sensitive child to a rebellious young man to develop the plot of the novel. In this novel, Joyce suggests that through Stephen's experiences is religion, sexuality and education, Stephen not only becomes more mature but these experiences also inspire him to redefine his world and his understanding of his true feelings about art.Religion, besides the practical need for food and shelter is one of the most powerful drives in Stephen's life. Religion serves as Stephen's guidance and saviour yet it is also responsible for his tormented youth and distracting him from his artistic development. As a child growing up in a strict Catholic family, Stephen is raised to be a good Catholic boy who will follow the teaching of Catholism as his guidance in his life. The severity of his family is shown when his mother tells him either to "apologise" (4) or "the eagles will come and pull out his eyes" (4). Stephen is taught by his mother to be tolerant when she "[tells] him not to speak with the rough boys in the college" (5). Similarly, Stephen's father also taught him a Catholic quality by telling Stephen "ne
By examining the influences sexuality has on Stephen's maturation process, Joyce has demonstrated to the reader that Stephen's understanding of his sexuality will eventually transform him into an artist. Furthermore, Stephen's description of Brother Michael's "long back [as] a tramhorse" (21) supports the suggestion of Stephen displaying homosexual characteristic. As a shy boy who "hid under the table"(4), the romance between Stephen and Eileen is childishly innocent. A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. Yet, this development is limited by his Catholic view of woman. Like religion, sexuality is also a fundamental part of Stephen's life, Stephen's early exposures to both homosexuality and heterosexuality excites him and inspires him to imagine and to create. Ostensibly, education offers theoretical knowledge for Stephen yet as he grows to become more individualistic, education also offers changes to Stephen's views, faith in religion and his need for companion. From the argument between Stephen's father, Mr. Stephen begins to exhibit the characteristics of an artist when he begins to imagine. Evidence of Stephen following the "never to peach" (6) quality is shown when Stephen agrees not to tell on Wells for pushing him into a ditch. Casey were on the other side but his mother and uncle Charles were on no side. Stephen also encounters homosexuality and his first experience occurs when he is informed about "some fellows [being] caught smugging" (42). ------------------------------------------------------------------------**Bibliography**. But he does not truly understand why the fellows caught are being punished because he does not realize homosexuality is an abomination that is condemned in the Bible.
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