Literary devices used in “A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man” Essay

Joyce has used the name Daedalus as a literary vehicle to give the reader a sense of deeper understanding well-nigh Stephen as a character in A Portrait of the artisan as a Young serviceman . There is a tie in among Stephen Dedalus and the Greek mythological figure Daedalus and this becomes apparent to Stephen when he hears his friends govern his name in Greek. When Stephen compares himself to the fabulous artificer their similar plight reveals itself. The correlation coefficient between Stephens need to escape Ireland to write, parallels Daedaluss escape by means of flight from Crete.Through the correlation between Stephen and Icarus, Joyce was referencing the overconfidence and pride that two Stephen and Icarus had. It is apparent that Stephen is proud yet pretentious especially when conver faultg with his friends who he feels he has outgrown mentally. Icarus fell to his death because of his overconfidence and pride. This demonstrates Stephens willingness to take risks to re alize his essential even if it includes failures.Stephen compares himself to Lucifer in chapter four saying, The snares of the world were its ways of sin. He would smoothen. He had non fallen yet but he would fall silently and in an instant. Lucifer fell from heaven because of his pride saying, I will not serve. Stephen also full of pride in himself refuses to honor or serve his family, church and his country. This defiance in Stephen demonstrates his substantial will to do what he wants with his life.Joyce has used birds as a literary device in A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man to develop themes and evoke a visual exposure for the reader. Birds are usually associated with freedom and flight, yet the earliest mention of birds is link to punishment. Dantes threat that eagles would pick out his eyes essentially comes accredited in a symbolic sense. Stephen becomes impostureed by mortal sin with prostitutes and was then blinded by a life of total loyalty to religion.Hero n, Stephens boyhood adversary has bird-like features and a birds name, literally picks on Stephen for standing up for his beliefs. Stephen repress his emotions when confronted with Herons attacks. Later whenquestioned virtually his beliefs and ideology by Cranly (meaning crane-like), Stephen expresses his emotions by asserting his strength and independence.Stephens epiphany takes place when he walks along the bank and sees the young young woman wading in the water. This conjures up the image of a wading bird and it reawakens Stephens belief in beauty. Stephen also examines the similarities between Dedalus and himself. The thought of Dedalus flying away to escape his imprisonment reinforces Stephens mess to leave Ireland and hire a new life of freedom.Joyce may fetch used the term bat-like to describe the Irish as being blind to the nets of Ireland that repeatedly hold them back and deny them their freedom. Stephens reference to the bat-like mind may allude to his dark and sec retive desires for women and the mystery that surrounds them.Stephens great epiphany occurs when he is awaiting news of his acceptance to the University. Joyce has taken two major events in Stephens life to transform the character into the emerging operative. Stephens termination to deny the life of priesthood and pursue a career as an artist proves the importance of his individuality. Joyce has transformed Stephens walk on the beach into a metamorphosis for Stephen. I equate his transformation into an artist to that of a trifle emerging from its chrysalis. Each stage of Stephens life helps to morph him into the artist that he will inevitably become. Stephen discovers that he will leave lowlife the cocoon of family, church, and country to symboli announcey fly to his destiny.Stephens encounter with the boys that call him by his Greek name triggers his imagination intimately Dedalus. As Stephen meditates on the mythical figure Dedalus he discovers that it must be his fate to pu rsue art. He realizes that it is his destiny to create art and sore to greatness. The image of the monger like man flying sunward above the sea supports Stephens prognostication of the end he had been born to serve and he had been following done the mists of childhood and boyhood. Stephens journey through life is to be completed through independence and a newly found freedom. His metamorphosis is not yet complete but now within reach.Stephens experiences with women in A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man have always been awkward and laden with moral consequences. His experience with the girl on the tram frustrates him and when he attempts to write a poem about her he is unable to. Stephens encounter with prostitutes was morally wrong and he was fraught with guilt. When Stephen decides to confess his sins he devotes his life to religion and praise of the complete(a) Mary. He imagines the Holy Virgin joining his hand with Emmas and attributes saint-like qualities to Emma. Step hens concept of women and sexuality had been very misguided to this point. This changes when Stephen sees the girl wading in the water at the beach. Stephen admires her beauty without guilt and experiences a revelation about women and the beauty they posses. The image of the girl delivers inspiration to Stephen the now transformed artist.