Chapter 1A Portrait of the Artist
as a Young Man
by James Joyce
Presentation by Nicholette Christensen, Mackenna Winn, Cameron Ziegler,
Katie Riis, Owen Morrison, and Ryan McCormick
Chapter One
The story starts with a young boy named Stephen Dedalus who is being told a
children's story by his father. The narrator, which is third person omniscient,
gives information to the reader about Stephen’s family briefly then jumps
forward several years. It starts with Stephen being in grade school and
attending a very religious, all boys boarding school. At the school, he is
bullied and seems to have few friends. He is trying to discover his place but
doesn't succeed and tends to isolate himself from others. He also questions
the different names of God and realizes that there is only one God but he
goes by different names according to different people. One day he is
pushed into a muddy ditch which causes him to become sick and visit the
infirmary. It then skips to him at home for Christmas dinner with his family.
Here an intense argument breaks out about the political and religious issues
in Ireland. When he goes back to school he breaks his glasses, which
makes him incapable of doing anything until his new pair comes. He is then
beaten unfairly by a teacher because of his broken glasses. Stephen
decides to tell the schoolmaster and is seen as a hero to the other boys.
Focus Areas
Sensory experiences
-hearing: “Once upon a time and a very good time it was there was a moocow
coming down along the road…” (19).
-sight: “his father looked at him through a glass:he had a hairy face” (19).
-taste: “...where betty byrne lived: she sold lemon platt” (19).
-touch: “When you wet the bed it is warm then it gets cold” (19).
-smell: “His mother put on the oilsheet. That had the queer smell” (19).
Motifs
-hot/cold: “He shivered to think how cold they were first. But, then they got hot
and then he could sleep” (29).
-Childhood/Adulthood: “It was his first Christmas dinner and he thought of his
little brothers and sisters who were waiting in the nursery, as he often
waited…” (41). “Simon! Simon! said uncle Charles. The boy” (43).
-silence/noise: “Then he heard the noise of the refectory… it made a roar like a
train at night” (25). “It was not the chapel but still you had to speak under
your breath” (51).
Focus Areas Cont.
Tensions between Catholics and Protestants
-Stephen was involved in a little yet significant religious feud from the very
beginning of his life when he declares that “…he was going to marry
Eileen,” (20). Because Eileen was a Protestant, Stephen was scared from
Dante and his mothers’ reactions to his statement which caused him to
“…hid[e] under the table” (20). Later Stephen was forced to apologize for
the hypocrisy of his comments.
- At Christmas dinner, Dante and Mr. Casey argue over the line between
religion and politics. Dante accuses the Irish leader of being Protestant for
being under the control of the English government. This further establishes
the idea that the Irish Catholics and English Protestants will continue to fight
for many generations because of their passion for their beliefs and that
these beliefs will continue to be passed down to their children. As dante
said loudly, “I will defend my church and my religion when it is insulted…”
(45).
Betrayal of Catholicism
Perceived Hypocrisy and Betrayal of Catholicism
The dinner time conversation, mainly between Dante and Mr. Casey reveal the
betrayal of Catholicism. During this time, Ireland was seeking home rule,
and they united under leader Charles Parnell. After Parnell’s affair went
public, the Catholic church stopped supporting him, yet they still advocated
for home rule. This wasn't the first time they stopped supporting a leader
that was working to the benefit of all of Ireland, as Mr Casey pointed out, as
they stopped supporting anyone that they felt they should not be associated
with. As the Catholic Church stopped supporting these leaders, the Irish
people who strictly followed them, like Dante, also stopped supporting these
leaders. This prohibited the progress towards home rule in Ireland.
The Church stopped supporting these people for making mistakes in life. But
Catholicism is based on forgiveness, so they should be given the chance to
explain themselves or apologize for their sins, as the religion says. Since
they were not given that chance, the hypocrisy of Catholicism was revealed.
Isolation
Isolation/Differentness/Weakness
Various aspects of Stephen’s life makes him feel different and isloated from the
other boys in the school. From the very beginning the other boys bully him
and pick on him, and he is unable to play football to their same ability. His
father isn’t a magistrate, like the other boys’ fathers, so that makes him feel
different.
He also later isolates himself, which makes the readers believe that he views
himself as different, which therefore makes him feel unworthy of being in the
other boys’ presence. “He sat in the corner of the playroom…” (25).
All of the isolation that exists between Stephen and the other boys of the school
give him a lot of time to himself, and it really shapes his identity and who he
is as a person.
Identity
Evaluation/Establishment of Identity
Being isolated from the other boys makes Stephen feel both alone and insignificant.
He was brought up by a strict Catholic aunt, who taught him the fears of Christianity. The
fear of going to hell dominates his life and makes him do things he doesn't
necessarily know the meaning behind.
Bored in study hall, he opens up his geography, but can't focus and begins contemplating
his own significance. He wrote in his book, “Stephen Dedalus/ Class of
Elements/Clongowes Wood College/Sallins/County Kildare/Ireland/Europe/The
World/The Universe” (27). He is questioning his significance in the grand scheme of
things, and partnered with his isolation and differences from the other boys, he feels
weak and powerless.
A later loss of innocence and apparent transition from childhood to adulthood open his
eyes to the cruelties of the world and cause him to question life even more.
Symbols:
Color Symbolism: The colors maroon and green represent conflict and the
Irish Nationalists, Parnell and Davitt. This is referred to when Dante and
Stephen’s father argue about politics. It is also referred to when Dante rips
off the velvet of her brushes. The colors red and white also represent
conflict and opposing forces. This is revealed through the math project with
roses. Orange is the color for Protestantism. Yellow is the color of decay
and sickness, of something wrong or old and dying.
Water Symbolism: Water is a symbol for the state of Stephen’s soul at any
given time. For example, in the Clongowes instance, Stephen can’t get the
feeling of the cold, slimy, filthy water out of his mind; it’s also the moment
where he’s getting sick and feels scared
Labyrinth/Maze Symbolism: Just like Daedalus, who was trapped in a maze
and had to construct wings to fly above and escape, Stephen was trapped
in a labyrinth and wanted to escape. For Stephen his school represented a
maze of corridors.
Symbols Cont.
Birds and Flight Symbolism: Birds are a sign of the mysterious distant future
Stephen sees for himself. Bird flight represents the freedom Stephen longs
for. The association of flight with Stephen’s experience stems from his
affiliation with Daedalus. Stephen envisions his soul flying on metaphorical
wings of his own construction; like Daedalus, he must fly to escape what he
perceives to be his prison
“The Argument”
Catholic vs. Irish Nationalists: At the Christmas Dinner Table with Dante, Mr.
Casey, Stephen Dedalus, and Simon Dedalus a huge argument breaks out
about Charles Parnell. Parnell committed adultery and for this reason, the
Catholic Church condemned him, destroyed his career, and caused his
death from exhaustion. Dante is in full support of the Church’s actions
because she is a devout Catholic. On the other hand, Casey and Simon
admired Parnell because he was a Irish Nationalist hero. They also mention
that the church has betrayed Ireland before. Dante becomes furious. The
argument is very vicious and ends with emotional hurt and tears.
Loss of Innocence: At the Christmas dinner, Stephen is able to sit at the adult
table for the first time. He also witnesses the brutal fight between the adults
about Parnell’s affair. When it is brought up that two boys are in trouble for
some unknown offense. It is suggested that the boys either stole the
Communion wine, or either participated in a homosexual act. These are all
events in which Stephen learns about the crude world.
“The Argument” Cont.
Portrayal of Adults: In Chapter One, adults are portrayed as strict authority
figures. They make many decisions for Stephen and direct his path towards
life. It is almost as though the adults try to instill their own ideals into
Stephen’s head. Adults are also the ones that inflict punishment and
protection.
Stephen’s Epiphany
In the beginning of the chapter, Stephen’s father tells him a nursery rhyme
about baby tuckoo to help him fall asleep. Children often see themselves as
the center of the universe and have no perception of other forces.
When Stephen writes the poem in the geography book, it is obvious that his
point of view has changed. The poem reads:
“Stephen Dadelus,
Class of Elements,
Clongwoes Wood College,
Sallins,
County Kildare,
Ireland,
Europe,
The World,
The Universe.”
The poem reads from the object with the least significance and gradually
increases in significance ending with the Universe. Stephen has now
matured from his young childhood and ponders his insignificance.
Moment of Stasis
Moment of Stasis: Stephen’s moment of stasis occurs when the boys lift up
Stephen as if he is a hero for telling on Father Dolan for beating him.
“They made a cradle of their locked hands and hoisted him up among them and
carried him along till he struggled to get free...He was happy and free: but
he would not be anyway proud with Father Dolan” (p.68).
He realizes that he may be destined as a hero, or to make a change in his life.
He is not quite ready for the change, but he can sense its importance.
Historical Links in the Text
● Charles Stewart Parnell
● The Fenian Movement
● Terence Bellew MacManus
● Hamilton Rowan
● Lord Leitrim’s coachman
● Michael Davitt
History, cont’d
Parnell
● Irish Nationalist fighting for home rule in the 1880s.
● He became elected President of the National Land League in 1879
● Initially supported William Gladstone, until Gladstone’s Land Act of 1881
was not what Parnell expected
● He used boycotts as a way of influencing landlords, but he was sent to jail
for that.
● He eventually got Gladstone to Prime Minister, but the Irish Home Rule Bill
never passed the House of Commons
● He was revered by English Liberals after a note that excused the murder of
two British Ministers in Dublin.
● However, almost right after, William O’Shea filed for divorce because his
wife had an affair with Parnell. This led to Parnell being removed from
party leadership
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/parnell_charles.shtml, Mrs. Lax
More History!
The Fenian Movement
● An Irish revolutionary movement that believed that London had
intentionally not aided the Irish during the Great Famine
● In 1848, a group called Young Ireland launched an uprising against the
British government. It was crushed
Terence Bellew MacManus
● A member of Young Ireland, he was sent to Tasmania for life, from where
he escaped to San Francisco.
● In San Francisco, he died in poverty in 1861
● At his funeral in Ireland, thousands of people attended, signalling the Irish
sentiment about home rule
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/fenian_movement.htm
http://www.nationmaster.com/encyplopedia/Terrence-MacManus
Even More History!!
Hamilton Rowan
● Known in Ireland as a defender of the poor for standing up for a peasant
Mary Neal against a Lord, despite Rowan’s wealth.
● Was a founding Member of the Society of United Irishmen, along with Wolf
Tone.
● He was imprisoned for libel, and while in prison met William JAckson who
was working for the French, seeing if they could help the Irish, since they
still hated the British.
● He fled to Philadelphia after he escaped to France by climbing down a
rope of sheets out of his bedroom window.
● He received a Hero’s welcome upon his return home to Ireland in 1806.
● He gave speeches until he was on his deathbed.
http://www.libraryireland.com/biography/ArchibaldHamiltonRowan.php
Yay! History!
Lord Leitrim’s coachman
● Lord Leitrim was an unpopular Irish figure
● He, along with his coachmen, were ambushed and murdered while
travelling from town to town.
● His funeral caused much unrest throughout Dublin, as many people
despised him, yet said nothing while he was alive.
http://www.loughrynn.net/id41.htm
Michael Davitt
● He was born during the Great Famine, and his family was forced to move
to England, where he worked in a cotton mill.
● But he had to have his arm amputated due to an accident.
● He then discovered the Fenian Movement, which he joined and soon
climbed through the ranks, before he was arrested for arms smuggling.
● When he died, over 20,000 people viewed his coffin.
http://www.museumofmayo.com/davitt1.htm
Greek Mythology
● Daedalus- “The Great Artificer”: was an inventor, he designed the
labyrinth, where he was later imprisoned to. The most obvious connection
Joyce makes to Daedalus is the name of the main character, Stephen
Dedalus. As others begin to address him by his last name, his attitude
begins to change and he longs escaping the life that he realizes he will be
forced to live in.
● King Minos: Gave Daedalus refuge in Crete but put him to work, had the
labyrinth made. Maybe an authority figure in Stephen’s life could be
thought of as a “King Minos”, or one who has confined him to a certain life
that he doesn't want to live. Maybe Clongowes College.
● Minos’ wife and the bull: Minos’ wife lusted for the bull and gave birth to the
minotaur, thus making king minos hate him. Once the minotaur was
birthed, Daedalus created the labyrinth for him to live in.
● The Minotaur: He was half man, half bull; very wild and violent. He was
sentenced to wander the labyrinth forever. Stephen Dedalus, in the book,
seems as though he is trapped in a labyrinth of his own, his life is full of
paths laid down by others. He never has a chance to really make the most
of his situations.
Greek Mythology Cont.
● The Labyrinth: made by Daedalus for Minotaur , was eventually imprisoned
in it with son Icarus
■ Connection to Book: imprisoned in school, doesn't want to be
there, isolates himself,Example: counting down the days until
holidays
● The wings: Made wings out of wax and feathers to escape labyrinth
■ Connection to Book: Joyce refers to flight a lot, for example: “..the
greasy orb flew like a heavy bird through the grey light.” pg. 4,
Stephen wants to escape from the school
● Icarus’ fall- Daedalus told his son not to fly too high because wax will melt
didn't listen and fell to his death, this was Daedalus’s sacrifice to escape
the labyrinth
■ Connection to Book: Stephen can symbolize Daedalus and it
foreshadows that he will possible need to make a sacrifice to
leave the school
QUIZ TIME
1. Who invented the wings?
2. What does the labyrinth symbolize in the novel?
3. What do the colors maroon and green symbolize?
4. What is Stephen’s epiphany?
5. What aspects of his school and personal life make Stephen feel isolated
from the other boys?
6. Why are there so many arguments regarding Catholicism in this chapter?
7. What color are the roses that Stephen thinks are beautiful?
8. What does Stephen do that causes kids to see him as a hero?
9. What is the significance of Stephen’s family being divided when it comes to
Irish home rule?
10. Why is the reference to Lord Leitrim’s coachman so powerful in Mr. Casey’s
argument?
Quiz Answers
1. Daedalus
2. Stephen being trapped in his own life, as others seem to control it.
3. Maroon and green symbolize the conflict between the Irish Nationalists and the
Protestants.
4. Stephen is insignificant in and there are other forces larger than himself.
5. His father is not a magistrate, he is bullied at school, the other kids pick on him, he
would rather be left alone
6.Catholicism and the degrees to which it should be followed were debated in this time,
as the Church did some controversial things and stopped supporting people key to
the betterment of Ireland, just for making some mistakes
7. The roses are red and white.
8.The other kids view him as a hero when Stephen goes to the rector(schoolmaster) and
tells him about the unfair beating he received.
9. The split in the family is representative of much of Ireland felt at the time, with there
being a split between Catholics and Protestants, as well as in the approval of home
rule
10. It is because it refers to being oppressed, but still following blindly, which Mr. Casey
says that the Catholics are doing buy not supporting home rule.
Bibliography
Greek Mythology: Mrs. Lax AP English 12 Allusions Sheet
http://www.shmoop.com/portrait-of-the-artist-as-a-young-man/color-symbol.html
http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?24885-Colors-used-in-quotA-Potrait-of-an-Artist-as-a-young-man-quot
http://www.shmoop.com/portrait-of-the-artist-as-a-young-man/water-symbol.htm
http://www.novelguide.com/a-portrait-of-the-artist-as-a-young-man/metaphor-analysis
http://www.gradesaver.com/portrait-of-the-artist-as-a-young-man/study-guide/section1/