Significance of Symbolism in a Portrait of the Artist As a Young Man Essay

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Symbolism in "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man"

In "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man," James Joyce utilizes symbolism to help readers understand Stephen's character development. From a confused young boy to a confident man, Stephen transforms and certain symbols allow us to see this transition to occur. Joyce also uses symbolism to help readers comprehend the setting I which Stephen lives, which influences many of his choices. Symbols allow us to identify with the character and grasp his world.

The kiss early in the novel symbolizes Stephen's youth. When his schoolmates ask him if he kisses his mother goodnight, he realizes something different between them. Stephen desires to be esteemed in the schoolyard primarily because of experiences like this. The question troubles him and he can feel "his whole body hot and confused" (Joyce 14) because he does not know how to answer it. He did not know if it was acceptable to kiss one's mother and he did not know how to satisfy his schoolmates with any answer.

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The kiss represents how Stephen still has much growing up to do.

Wings are a powerful symbol in the story because they his name comes from Deadulas, the man who made a pair of wings, primarily from wax. When Stephen watches the water, he sees a "winged form flying above the waves" (169) and this prompts him to think of Deadulas. He wonders if he is witnessing a kind of prophecy of the "end he has been born to serve and had been following through the mists of childhood and boyhood, a symbol of the artist forging anew in his workshop out of the sluggish matter of the earth a new soaring impalpable imperishable being" (169). Here we see how Stephen is growing and maturing because he sees his….....

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