Symbols in a portrait of the artist as a young

manEdeline Sanchez, Erum Rahman, Christina Chen

Aim: What are the most significant symbols in A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man and how do they connect to the turning points in the novel?Do Now: Share out what you think important symbols and turning points are in the novel.

Mini Lesson

SYMBOLISM: The use of words or objects to stand for or represent other things; something that stands for something else. Symbolism is more flexible than allegory. It may convey a number of meanings.

TURNING POINT– the point in the plot where the protagonist’s situation changes for the better or the worse; after this the action begins its movement toward a final resolution. 

Mini Lesson Continued

How are these connected?James Joyce shows Stephen’s growth not

by a connected story, but through a serious of illuminating moments. In these

moments are where we see the most significant symbols appear, and they give

us information about Stephen’s transformations throughout the story.

Symbols - Women

Stephen is resistant towards kissing the prostitute because deep down, he knows that his actions are sinful and will lead to punishments.

For a period of time, Stephen tried to stay away from women because he does not want to fall into temptation once again.

Emma is different from the other women that Stephen interacts with. She helps Stephen get a touch of pure love teaches him how to appreciate beauty and female purity.

Symbols - Colors

The colors Green and Maroon show up a lot throughout the novel. The color Green represents his Irish heritage and the Irish Nationalist Movement. Stephen believes that these two colors together represent conflict.

Stephen wonders "which was right, to be for the green or for the maroon."

Symbols – Flight and Wings

The association of flight with Stephen’s experience stems from his affiliation with Daedalus who was known for creating wings of feather and wax.

Stephen envisions his soul flying on metaphorical wings of his own construction; like Daedalus, he must fly to escape what he perceives to be his prison (Ireland), and the "nets" it casts to entrap him (religion, language, nationality).

Symbols – Music

From the very first page, music is constantly in the background.

Stephen is a singer; we don’t know how talented he is (he is asked to perform several times, which indicates that he must be pretty good), but it’s never a central part of his identity, as far as we’re concerned.

He often thinks of language in terms of its musicality and rhythmic nature. He refers to phrases making up "chords" with words, an idea that combines the concept of musical harmony with poetic beauty.

Symbols – Music (continued…)

Example, when he is about to leave the Director’s office in Chapter Four (on the brink of deciding whether or not to join the Jesuits), the priest’s "mirthless" response to a sudden burst of music from the street shocks Stephen, making him realize that he could never become a priest himself.