A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man (Unabridged)

Rating:
Summary: A thought provoking novel
Review: A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man is one of the more complex books, from a reader's standpoint, in that it doesn't move along in a logical fashion. However, this shouldn't dissuade you from reading it. There is much to be learned in the semi-autobiographical novel by James Joyce. It is the story of a young boy and his experiences growing up in Ireland. The age of the main character (Stephen Dedalus) at the beginning of the novel is not known. But it can be inferred that he is probably between 6-9 years old. The book continues with his life experiences, from his point of view, until he is in his late teen years. There is much to be learned about life in Ireland, the role of the church and politics in a boy's life, and the development of a young man as he grows up from this novel.

The literary techniques used in this novel are very interesting, no doubt ideas from an extremely talented writer, but it is these techniques that can leave a reader easily wondering what's going on. The language of the novel itself progresses with the maturity of the main character. The book begins with small snap-shots of young Stephen's life. The ideas put forth in the first few pages are ideas that you might expect from the mind of a young grade school child. Unfortunately these ideas are also as random as you might expect from a young child and it is sometimes hard to follow the plot. Thankfully as the novel progresses it becomes more structured in its presentation and is much easier to understand. In fact, at the end of the story, the novel is written as entries from a journal. Some of the images that Joyce uses throughout his novel are birds, water, hands, and the color white. It is interesting to look at how Stephen's perception of these different images changes as the novel progresses.

The issues of religion and politics play a large role in this novel. I am not very familiar with the politics or religious conflicts that existed in Ireland during the time period when this book was written. It would be helpful to be aware of these issues while reading this book, as they are very central to the plot. It was interesting even with a lack of knowledge to see a young boy's perception of the Catholic Church and also to see how his perception changed as the novel progressed.

Another interesting thing that I found while reading "Portrait" was how Stephen was constantly trying to find somewhere to fit in. He seemed to be an outcast throughout the book, finally at the end deciding to leave his country and religion behind. I didn't like the ending because it seemed to me that he was just running away from his problems. This seems to be a common problem today and I didn't like the fact that it was romanticized in "Portrait".

I was required to read this book as part of an English class and I can honestly say that it is a book that I would not have read otherwise. It had its good points and was definitely thought provoking but I don't feel that I would highly recommend it. One thing that might be helpful in reading this book would be to look at some commentary of the book before attempting to read it. That way, you could be familiar with what to look for rather than plodding along (as I did) for much of the book trying to figure out what's going on.

Rating:
Summary: My Humble Opinion
Review: James Joyce is a hero. Writing with a exceptionally unique style that fits the corresponding drama perfectly, he is able to involve several underlying themes that help advance the meaning of the book. The Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man is rich in detail and offers vital insights into Joyce?s art of portraying the internal struggles that all of us face within the drama of a single character, Stephen Dedalus. Perhaps the most salient brilliance of Joyce?s ability is painting the picture of simbolism and theme to allow the reader to internalize everything he reads.
The book opens in a rather ambiguous way. Jumbled phrases across the opening pages provoke images of confusion and disorder in the reader?s mind. Joyce masters the Stream of Consciousness style of writing, which reflects the spontaeous thought process that all of us experience. It is especially notable at the beginning when he describes the unfocused thoughts of the baby Stephen. With a light touch of humor Joyce reminds us how simple life was for all of us back then when all we had to worry about was the discomfort of ?wetting the bed?
(Portrait 1).
The reader then re-lives his life as he joins in with Stephen?s. We are first exposed to the unjust treatment from others when the bully Wells shoves Stephen into the nearby cesspool. The imagery is more than intense here when he comes out of the pool grimy, disgusting, and smelling like a sewer. Joyce even pencils in the detail about rats wallowing around in the pool. The theme of unjustice continues as Stephen is punished publicly for losing his glasses, something that he had no control over. The Catholic Father Dolan flogs him across the hands for ?intentionally? losing them so he wouldn?t have to study.
Another interesting piece of information that James Joyce includes for the benefit of the reader putting himself in the place of Stephen is the theme of physical beauty. Stephen experiences love all throughout the piece, starting first with the innocent love notes that he writes to a small girl his age, building to the prostitute with whom he has his first sexual experience, and culminating finally with the woman on the beach who he is infatuated with. This sexual passion arouses sympathetic feelings within the reader from all backgrounds. Everyone has experienced that true feeling of wanting to be with someone else.
My favorite part in the story is how Joyce deals with the issue of remaining true to religion, particularly the Catholic Church. Stephen is troubled by the fact that there is so much corruption within the church. He sees the imperfections within the church, but yet he somehow continues. Other characters present Joyce with the opportunity to let us look deep into the heart of Stephen and examine how he struggles. Much of Joyce?s audience has struggled with the decision of remaining true to the Catholic Church in spite of its many corruptions, or pioneering a new generation of religious loyalty elsewhere.
Towards the end of the novel Joyce touches on a reoccuring theme: freedom. Being free from religion as well as being free from Ireland (or the restraints that bound some individual). Again Joyce delicately works his way into the lives of his readers; all are faced with decisions of leaving their past lives, whether they be entrapped in the pits of smoking or the despair of being overweight, all of the readers of Jame Joyce are faced with that decision sooner or later. Stephen sees his escape from the island with drawing back to strength from the Greek artisan Dedalus, who crafted his own wings to escape. It seems that all of us somehow need to draw on strength from the past to give us motivation for the future. Many rely on examples from their parents. Others trust in counsel and advice given through the scriptures. All are in search of help from the past to live a better future.
All in all, Joyce masters his work and is able to assist the reader in making his own decisions in his own life while doing it through the life of his central character. If I were anything but American, I might consider moving to Ireland.

Rating:
Summary: Masterful Writing
Review: A Portrait of the Artist As a Young Man is not an easy read by any means, but it is a worthwhile read by all means. The plot focuses on the growth and development of Stephen Dedalus, an intelligent Irish boy born into a poor family. One of the most interesting features of the book is that it is considered to be a "self-portrait of the artist" by most experts. The events of author James Joyce's life mirror those of young Dedalus well. This makes for a fascinating read considering Joyce's prominent position in the writing world.
The writing styles and techniques Joyce uses are expert. The writing level begins at a level that a small child would use, and increases in sophistication through the book as Dedalus grows older and becomes more educated. The pinnacle of the writing is Dedalus' narration about his theories of art and beauty near the end of the book, about the time he is to leave the university and Ireland altogether. The beautiful language of the narration is a work art by its own merit, and I highly recommend reading it whether or not you read The Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man in its entirety.
Among the various things to look for while reading "Portrait" are the reoccurring images of water, birds, and the colors white and red. Specifically, pay attention to Dedalus' perceptions of these things, and how his perceptions change as the book moves forward. Two other common topics surfacing throughout the novel are politics and religion. Ever since a bitter argument about politics and religion broke out among his family at Christmas dinner, Dedalus has been wary of the subjects. This makes for conflict because the church and politics are at the forefront of the educated minds he is associating with.
Lastly, when reading this book, consider how it relates Irish nationalism and Ireland's struggle to find its place in the world of art and culture. Although this is not such an obvious theme, it is interesting to note how many of the characters are concerned with what Ireland is, where it is going, and how best to improve it.
Because the reading can be so heavy in The Portrait of the Artist As a Young Man, I recommend referring to some sort of an explanatory or summary essay to supplement your reading...

Rating:
Summary: Valuable as a precursor
Review: There's a reason why Stephen wasn't the main character in "Ulysses." While his hypersensitivity, acute intellectualism and quasi-pretentious ideas about the aesthetics of poetry and Shakespeare are attractive from a distance, his callow arrogance and sarcasm are ultimately off-putting. Leopold Bloom, for me, is the greatest character in 20th century literature because his age has brought him qualities that the post-adolescent Stephen can only ponder or mock: humility, inquisitiveness and a love for his wife that can withstand the challenges of Blazes Boylan.
I don't mean to disparage "A Portrait" by claiming its worth lies primarily in its position as a precursor to "Ulysses," but it really is dwarfed by that book and Joyce's masterpiece, "Finnegans Wake." Here, the prose experiments are clumsy and frustrating: take, for example, the romantic drivel about birds, dew and Eileen in chapters four and five; while Joyce might have intended this second-rate Yeats impersonation to demonstrate how Stephen's naivete is struggling with new ideas, it's fairly embarrassing nonetheless. The journal entries are kind of cool as a taste of what would soon come in "Ulysses," but they come off a bit dry.
I found Stephen much more likeable before his decision to repent in the third chapter. Before, he had to struggle with the conflict in his soul between the pleasures of the brothel and eternal damnation. This was also before he became stubbornly confident in his own self-righteousness, and I can believe that the feelings he describes are painfully real. Afterwards, he briefly becomes a priggish repentant, and then the climax of the novel comes when he throws off the yoke of the priesthood and embraces the sight of Eileen stroking the sea-water "hither and thither" (a delicious reminder of the much more appealing ALP in the "Wake").
Eileen is now kept in the distance as Stephen prattles endlessly about Aristotle and Aquinas, his precious individuality and his oncoming exile. His friends are intelligent but boorish and scornful. By the end of the novel, Stephen is ready to embark on his artistic journey, but I couldn't help noticing how cynical his final journal entries sounded.
Joyce is the master novelist of the past century, and even his mediocre work is woven with the threads that would continue in his two final novels. "A Portrait..." remains a fascinating though curiously empty tale of a young man growing detached from his senses and beliefs.

Rating:
Summary: A fat load of tripe.
Review: James Joyce is the most unreadable author to ever have been washed into xistance from the womb of Ireland. It is an indication of the non-relevance of education today, that this book is required reading for many of our youths. This novel belongs on the mantle of some poor sod who can't find anything better to do with his time other than perhaps wacking himself repeatedly on the genitals with a blunt object ad infinitum. Beleive me, thsi book is less painful, but only in that it ENDS. Avoid it at all costs, and punch anyone who recommends it to you square in the gob.

Rating:
Summary: amazing
Review: i put off reading portrait for a couple years, i do not know what i was thinking. i really connected with stephen dedalus.

a little background on myself:
12 years of catholic schools where i was fairly poor compared to the rest of my schoolmates while being fairly more intelligent than a lot of my schoolmates. so i could really feel for young dedalus.

this book is a powerful and amazing story of vocation, love, growing up and flying away. some parts are difficult and some background in catholicism and theology probably help, but you will be glad that you stuck it out. truly a classic work of literature.

now on to Ulysses!

Rating:
Summary: worthwhile for obvious reasons
Review: Jimmy could write. Before there's any comment on theme and subtext and ideas, it is important to acknowledge the form and the style.

This is incredible, the overwhelming passion and the rhythmic dances that bleat their rosy horns so loudly even the staunchest athiest is gonna be thinking 'voice of God . . .'

The story is full and vivid, a tale of youth and important decisions about life. On a more profound level it questions private moral judgment and alligence to God. The choices are priesthood or independence, ultimately, as the boy doesn't 'abandon' the church so much as walk outside and try to find something else in life. This is the basic arc of the story.

Realization, sadly, is often a dull and irrelevent experience in the retelling no matter how much you spruce it up with moo-cows and tuckoo.

Rating:
Summary: Very Interesting
Review: I thought that A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man was a very interesting book. James Joyce was not only able to capture the political turmoil in Ireland at the time of his youth, but also the the alienation that every man with radical ideas went through.
The people living in his time were only open to widely acceped ideas, whether they be political or religious.
Joyce should also be commended of his amazing writing style. None have yet surpassed him.

Rating:
Summary: Look before you leap, think before you read
Review: This book is definately not for everyone. The entire book is like a stream of thoughts invoked when one looks at a self portrait of one's youth. Maybe that's what Joyce was trying to accomplish. The book gets interesting as the chapters progress, intially it is a little hard to grasp. For me it required slow reading and in some cases rereading and excessive stretching of hands towards the dictionary to fully comprehend and enjoy the novel. The novel does not fall under the gambit of light reading, a consistent effort is required on behalf of the reader to continue reading the novel, in order to grasp the artistic spell that the author is trying to invoke on the reader.
Do not expect a story, as such there is no story in the novel. The gist of it is the coming of age of the author but it was written in a way to revolutionize the way novels were written and read. It is much more profound, acute and slower than what most reviews purport it to be, which unfortunately means that for the average reader the book could be very boring.

Rating:
Summary: Easy to read, difficult to follow
Review: This book is easy to read. The language is simple, the sentence structure is concise, and the general plot is relatively linear. It is basically a story of the maturation of a young boy into a young adult in 19th C. England. The title of the book says it all. However, Joyce breaks into several dream-reality tangents that, if closely read, reveal a lot about the characters and the story. If you do not have a group with whom to discuss this book, I do not recommend it. If you are a student who must read this for a class, the more you put in, the more you will get out. It is an excellent book.