Transcript Symbols in a portrait of the artist as a young man

SYMBOLS IN A PORTRAIT OF
THE ARTIST AS A YOUNG
MAN
Edeline 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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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…)
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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.