"Blessed Virgin" (35) and to view women as holy and pure. On the other hand, as his sexual urge grows stronger, he receives a totally different view of women. And as a result of this difference, frustration grows and it distracts Stephen from creating art. By illustrating how religion affects life from his childhood to adolescence, Joyce has shown the reader that religion offers both positive and negative effects on Stephen's life.
             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. While sexuality offers positive influence on Stephen's artistic development, sexuality clashes with his religion causing internal conflicts and frustration that manifest themselves into moral dilemmas. Stephens first encounter with heterosexuality occurs when Eileen is introduced in the novel. Eileen is not only Stephen's playmate, she is indeed his future bride
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