Stephen Dedalus: Character Development & Symbolism
Stephen Dedalus: A Character Study
Stephen Dedalus is the protagonist of James Joyce’s *A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man*. The novel chronicles his evolution from childhood to adulthood, showcasing his intellectual and spiritual development.
Childhood and Conflicting Influences
From his childhood, Stephen experiences internal conflict. His parents present him with contradictory values. His mother instills in him the principles of duty, guilt, responsibility, and shame. Conversely, his father suggests that irresponsibility is a path to personal freedom. His mother encourages confession and guilt after mistakes, while his father emphasizes honesty without guilt.
Life at Clongowes Wood College
Stephen attends a Jesuit boarding school, Clongowes Wood College, where he is immersed in the principles of Catholic life. He quickly encounters cruelty, isolation, and injustice. His attempts to adapt often result in humiliation; for instance, he is mocked for admitting that his mother kisses him.
Rejection of Societal Norms
As he matures, Stephen grapples with his nationality, religion, family, and morality. He ultimately chooses to reject all socially imposed constraints, embracing a life dedicated to artistic freedom.
Transformations and Epiphanies
Stephen undergoes several crucial transformations throughout the novel:
- From a sheltered child to a perceptive student who begins to understand social dynamics and the world around him (during his early years at Clongowes).
- From innocence to experience, marked by his encounter with a Dublin prostitute.
- From an unrepentant sinner to a devout Catholic, influenced by Father Arnall’s sermons on death and hell.
- From fervent religiosity to a devotion to art and beauty. This pivotal shift occurs in Chapter 4. He is offered entry into the Jesuit order but declines, choosing instead to attend university.
Stephen’s rejection of the priesthood and his subsequent epiphany on the beach signify his transition from faith in God to a belief in aesthetic beauty. This transformation continues during his university years.
The Role of Women
Stephen’s interactions are fundamental to his development, and among these, women hold primary importance. As his story progresses, they become a driving force behind his art.
Early Influences and Relationships
Stephen’s relationship with the opposite sex begins to develop early in his life. The novel’s opening pages hint at the diverse roles women will play:
- Dante, a governess, provides Stephen with his first experiences of the outside world.
- Both Dante and Stephen’s mother are associated with punishment, threatening that “he will apologize” or that “the eagles will come and take his eyes out.”
Stephen’s first romantic interest is his playmate, Eileen, whom he plans to marry. This innocent declaration foreshadows the significance that romantic and sexual relationships with women will hold for him as he matures. The early appearance of punishment, romance, and inspiration highlights their interconnected influence on Stephen and his art.
Continued Influence on Development
Throughout his childhood, women continue to contribute to Stephen’s development as an artist, even if he remains somewhat unaware of their significance. For example, Eileen indirectly leads Stephen to the realization that “by thinking about things, you can understand them” (287), as he finds potential meanings for the terms “Ivory Tower” and “House of Gold” in her hands and hair.