Summary Of Joyce's "A Portrait Of An Artists As A Young Man"

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he should be the center of his family's universe, or the "baby
tuckoo". His family symbolizes the oppression that Stephen encounters
throughout his life. "Apologise, pull out his eyes, pull out his eyes,
apologise (Joyce 4)." Later the reader finds that this symbolizes how his
family will not accept his spontaneous outbursts, especially involving the
arts. Its also important to note that even at this early part of his life,
Stephen prefers his mother over his father, which shows later on in the
novel. " . . . he had a hairy face . . . his mother had a nicer smell than
his father. (Joyce 3)"
In the first Chapter, at Clongowes, Stephen feels isolated.
Uncomfortable in his new surroundings, he turns to thoughts of his family,
who symbolize security. "He longed to be at home and lay his head on his
mother's lap. But he could not: and so he longed for the play and study
and prayers to be over and to be in bed (Joyce 9)." Stephen needs this
escape, and thoughts of his family ...

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During the dinner,
his family engages in a fierce debate. At this point, Stephen loses his
view of what adult life entails. The evident flaws of his adult family
members make Stephen realize for the first time that the passage into
adulthood means the death of parts of himself, specifically his innocence.
After this incident, Stephen will never look at life and the world around
him the same.
Stephen's shame in his father begins quickly in the book as early in
his childhood Stephen must change schools. He learns he will not be
returning to Clongowes Wood College because of his father's mounting debts.
This brings Stephen much pain and humiliation as he realizes his father ...

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