The Portrayal of the Character of Stephen Dedalus as a Rebel Archetype : A Re-Reading of James Joyce's a Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man

International Journal of Humanities and Social Science

© 2022 by SSRG - IJHSS Journal

Volume 9 Issue 6

Year of Publication : 2022

Authors : Tandrima Dhara

10.14445/23942703/IJHSS-V9I6P101

How to Cite?

Tandrima Dhara, "The Portrayal of the Character of Stephen Dedalus as a Rebel Archetype : A Re-Reading of James Joyce's a Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man," SSRG International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, vol. 9,  no. 6, pp. 1-4, 2022. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23942703/IJHSS-V9I6P101

Abstract:

The main aim of this paper is to shed light on two contradictory views on constructing identity in James Joyce's renowned novel A Portrait of the Artist as A Young Man. First, the turbulence in Ireland in 1960 created complex perceptions and pressure on Irish history, societal norms, cultural background, church and politics. It narrows down one person's mind and makes an individual's behavior rigid which does not allow them to think about love, sympathy and compassion. Stephen Dedalus, the fictional character, is the spokesman of James Joyce, through whom he criticizes the nets of Irish society. He says this trap limits individuals, never letting their wings free to fly above the sky and build their own identity. Secondly, the paper focuses on Stephen Dedalus's growing sense of sensibility, perception and behavior from childhood to adulthood which makes him different from the contemporary trend of Ireland. This growing sense helps him to expand psychologically through which he breaks the rigid traditional concept of identity, goes beyond far from Ireland and builds his own identity. Stephen Dedalus is a modern character, an archetypal rebel who yearns for freedom and his journey starts through art which helps to develop his own identity rather than traditional values.

Keywords:

Catholic church, Identity, Modernism, Politics, Rebel.

References:

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