A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man

A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man- evaluation:  conveys a message that somehow even through the prostitutes and urine sniffing hit close to home. As a junior in high school it's time to start figuring out where we would like to head in life. A lot of the time the struggle is where you see yourself, where you hope to see yourself and where my mom would like to see me. I found myself intrigued by the bravery of Stephen as he took control of his own life. I could only read and imagine in admiration as he chose to walk the path of uncertainty even through the disapproval of his on looking parents. I myself could never imagine myself being so sure of my future to do as Stephen did. In that sense I felt a connection and a level of admiration of Stephen which attached me to this novel. However, often times i found myself struggling to find this message within the simple confines of the novel. I found myself researching for clues on what I had just read as well as finding out piece by piece through group discussions. I admire the style of writing and think it to be very clever and effective for the message meant to get across. I enjoyed the extremely of Stephen and the rare glimpse into his mind. It was compelling to know his every though. He could not hide, no veil could shield the reader from his most embarrassing and shameful thoughts. At times his thoughts were extremely radical, which is what makes the novel what it is. To be able to follow someone through their journey of self discovery through such passionate thoughts was interesting and provided great insights into the extend of the human mind. All in all, I enjoyed the  overall message conveyed rather than the complex way of telling it.

Overall  message:

The overall theme found in “A Portrait of the artist as a young man” is the struggle of mankind to find one’s true self. In thanks largely to the style of how the book was written. As we are taken through the complex process of Stephen’s various phases of growing up we experience with him the harshness of being different. We feel the tug as he cannot control his urges. We feel the loneliness when he cannot seem to make a connection with his school mates. We experience his inner most private thoughts to recognize the hole left  by the disapproval of himself. The struggle is proved when he tortures himself by inhaling the putrid smells of urine in order to practice self discipline that he feels he lacks. He tortures himself through the night by not scratching an itch, or not changing his sleeping positions. Simple rituals such as these just to grasp a hold of himself. The true self infliction is shown through his interpretation of his priest’s sermon on hell. The imagery conveyed of tortured souls screaming and burning walls opens up a portal of the self loathe he feels. It is not until the fourth chapter that Stephen easies up on himself. His struggle to find himself begins to shine light through his change in thoughts. He finds himself as a more complex man than his colleagues as they splash in the river. He finds solemn in the safety of his own thoughts. His true identity is realized as he breaks away from the religion which has been torturing him and the parents who have been confiding him. He goes off on his own and his self discovery is complete as he finds peace within himself to  be content with his disobedience to his parents and his choice to study at the university instead.  Stephen realizes his role as an artist appreciative of what the world has to offer and has no shame. The shift in the point of view expresses Stephen’s readiness to write his own story instead of other’s dictating it.

Analysis of passage:

“ March, morning: thought this in bed last night but was too lazy and free  to add it. Free, yes. “(270)

Although this passage is just one sentence from a simple journal entry the words written symbolize more than the simplicity of its image. Just a few chapters back Stephen lay awake in his bed torturing himself. His thoughts ran wild with eternal conflict as his head span around with torturous thoughts. He lie awake not moving his uncomfortable positions in hope of obtaining self- discipline. In his own dormitory where he lay awake nights contemplating the legitimacy of his lifestyle. His room where he obsessively dedicated his time to religion just a few chapters back. That same Stephen is now “free”. In the same setting of a casual room. His thoughts had moved on from his own self struggle to thinking about his friends. “free”. The word holds so much impact for a man such as Stephen. For Stephen to be free is for Stephen to be fulfilled. Fulfilled from the guilt especially during the silence that fills our minds with irrational thoughts in the hours of before and after going to sleep. This short little journal entry is just another significant piece of Stephen’s journey of self actualization.