A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce: book review

A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man (1916) is semi-biographical, through the character Stephen Dedalus, set in Ireland at the end of the 19th century.

It is James Joyce’s first novel. Although he commenced writing in 1903 as his first piece of work, it was not published until years later, after his poetry collection (Chamber Music in 1907) and short story collection (Dubliners in 1914). In 1998, the Modern Library listed A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man as #3 of the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century.

Joyce introduces Greek mythology – Daedalus, the craftsman and artist – to juxtapose Stephen’s artistic aspirations as a writer with his coming of age.

Student Stephen is Irish Catholic, questioning his religious upbringing and the doctrines of the church, as he dedicates his life to writing and artistic pursuits. Was it still appropriate to say night prayers? And do young men still kiss their mothers?

Family arguments about politics, finances, and his aspiring career as an artist, lead to a rebellion and his flight from his family in Ireland to an independent life in Europe. All the while, Stephen is trying to formulate his theories about art.

This is a tale of a young man with competing pressures and inner turmoil as he strives for independence of thoughts and actions. The themes are still relevant today, particularly those of religion, nationality, self-expression, and freedom.

MARTINA NICOLLSis an international aid and development consultant, and the authorof:- Similar But Different in the Animal Kingdom(2017), The Shortness of Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet (2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Sudan Curse (2009).

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