
The pandybat incident is also one of the most important in this regard. It is evident from the incident when he writes his name, his father’s name, his city until the universe. It is only Stephen, whose unique thinking forces him to believe that the world is nothing but a small part of the universe. He creates extraordinary images regarding words in his mind.Ĭritics also believe that A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man is about realising the difference between the inner world (imagination) and outer reality, hence, giving this novel some unique themes. At the very beginning of this long narrative story, the readers realise that Stephen’s imagination is entirely different from others. The initial part of the novel is all about materialistic thinking even though the child stays away from the mob.

For instance, he thinks that words are useless until a listener or reader has an image in his mind regarding the symbols. There are very rare children, who think like the boy used to think in the early days of his life. His early life was not good but subsequently, he realises that he has been made for a greater purpose though the writer does not say it directly but by using the technique of symbolism. At the start of the novel, the child is criticised by everyone. In fact, he time and again questions himself regarding this issue and the answer he finds in the last days of his life. Indeed, his thinking and habits are different from others but he cannot realise why he is different. In childhood, the boy cannot realise his talent. James Joyce used the technique of Epiphany in his novel A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man for this purpose. The story is all about exploring the inner sole. A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man ThemesĪ careful and precise analysis of the novel A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man reveals the following major themes: Its unique themes also make this novel one of the best in the history of English literature. Further, stream of consciousness is not the only thing due to which this novel gained fame.

Although critics think that James Joyce portrays his autobiography in the novel yet it is full of universal themes. It is also the case with A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. A novel may have more than one theme and most themes are related to the symbols and motifs of the writer.

The title of the novel is very much clear as in the novel the writer creates a painting sketch of an artist not only of his young age but also of his childhood while making an analysis of Stephen Dedalus character in the Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. Reality in A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man IntroductionĪ Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man contains many major themes but on the whole, the novel is about the journey of an artist.
