Although The Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man is not a political novel, Joyce does include several scenes that show how politics can impact an individual’s life. The most obvious example of this is the scene where Stephen Dedalus is beaten by his classmates for refusing to sing ‘God Save the Queen’. This event has a profound impact on Stephen, and Joyce uses it to explore the relationship between politics and art.
Another important scene in the novel occurs when Stephen meets his father for the first time since he has converted to Catholicism. Mr Dedalus is a staunch Protestant, and he is very angry with his son for converting. The conflict between Stephen and his father provides a clear illustration of the way that politics can create division within a family.
Ultimately, Joyce seems to suggest that politics can be a very dangerous force, and that it is often difficult to maintain one’s artistic integrity in the face of political pressure. The Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man is an important work because it provides a unique insight into the way that politics can affect an individual’s life and creative pursuits.
The term “politics” is defined as the intrigue among members of a particular organization. In The Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, by James Joyce, however, there is no such precise definition since politics are constantly combined with Roman Catholicism and Irish nationality. Politics are depicted in three ways: directly and symbolically. The opening part of the book is when politics are portrayed most directly and symbolically.
The commentary on politics is more prominent later in the book, and is often given through the thoughts of the main character, Stephen Dedalus. One of the most overtly political moments in The Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man occurs during Stephen’s encounter with a group from The National Library.
The National Library was founded by Michael Collins, an Irish nationalist leader who was assassinated not long before Joyce began writing The Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. This event takes place during a time of great political upheaval in Ireland, known as The Troubles.
The Troubles were a result of centuries of British rule in Ireland, and the violence that ensued when the Irish people fought for independence. The National Library scene is significant because it shows Stephen being confronted with the reality of British rule in Ireland. The National Library is a symbol of British authority in Ireland, and the fact that Stephen is forced to go there shows the extent to which he is under British control.
The direct portrayal of politics diminishes as the novel progresses, and is replaced by commentary and symbols. One such example is the storm that hits Dublin near the end of the novel. The storm can be seen as a metaphor for the political turmoil in Ireland at the time. The storm is chaotic and destructive, just like the violence and chaos that was happening in Ireland. The storm also represents Stephen’s state of mind at the time. He is in a state of turmoil, just like his country.
The Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man is not just a novel about politics, but it is also a commentary on politics. Joyce uses his own experiences to comment on the political situation in Ireland. He was born into a family of Irish nationalists, and he himself was involved in the fight for Irish independence. This gives him a unique perspective on the political situation in Ireland.
The Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man is not just a novel about Stephen’s journey to becoming an artist, but it is also a commentary on the political situation in Ireland at the time. The Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man is an important work of literature because it captures the spirit of rebellion that was present in Ireland during The Troubles. It is a testament to the power of art and the human spirit in the face of adversity.
However, the full impact of these occurrences and symbols is not appreciated until later in the book when a mature Stephen considers them, owing to the novel’s focus on Stephen’s thought processes. Despite vagueness, politics play an important role in the protagonist’s development, as well as his eventual departure from Ireland. The complicated equation of Irish nationality, politics, and Catholicism was a major cause of Stephen’s muddle growing up. These three qualities are essentially separate individuals.
The English, who occupied Ireland and exerted significant control over the Catholic Church, contributed to this complexity. The Irish sought to preserve their nationality and traditions, which led to a number of conflicts with the British authorities as well as amongst themselves. Joyce’s treatment of these issues is complex and often contradictory, but ultimately The Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man is a story about one man’s struggle to come to terms with his place in the world.
The politics of the time heavily influenced Stephen’s development, and his eventual decision to leave Ireland is a result of the many conflicts he faces as a young man. The portrait of the artist as a young man is a Bildungsroman, or novel of coming-of-age. The protagonist, Stephen Dedalus, undergoes a process of maturation as he wrestles with various external and internal conflicts.
The political environment in which Joyce wrote this novel adds an extra dimension to the struggles that Stephen must face. The early 20th century was a time of great transformation, and Europe was in the midst of major political and social changes. The first World War had just ended, and new ideologies such as fascism and communism were on the rise. Joyce, who was Irish and lived in exile, was acutely aware of these changes and their impact on his homeland.
The political themes themselves are not well represented, appearing in two forms: direct and indirect. The direct form is more common in the novel’s first part, during which Stephen has a Christmas dinner with his family. Charles Parnell was mentioned by name during this argument between Stephen’s relatives. “His father was for Ireland and Parnell, as was his son” (200), remarks Stephen of Mr. Casey. Politics appears to be dividing up Stephen’s family, stirring hatred and bitterness among them, which inflames him later toward Irish politics.
The indirect form of politics is introduced in the second section of the novel and is based on English politics. The indirect form emerges when Stephen is reflecting on his past and how it has shaped his present. For example, when Stephen recalls his time in Clongowes Wood College, he remembers a specific conversation he had with a Jesuit priest about Henry VIII.
The priest claimed that Henry VIII was a great king because he broke away from the Catholic Church and established the Anglican Church. This event is significant because it created religious separation in England and allowed for different Protestant sects to develop. In this way, English politics have indirectly shaped Irish politics by creating divisions amongst the Irish people.
In conclusion, Joyce portrays the impact of politics in The Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man through both direct and indirect forms. The direct form is based on Irish politics and occurs primarily in the first section of the novel. The indirect form is based on English politics and emerges gradually throughout the novel. Both forms have had a significant impact on Stephen’s life and development, shaping his view of the world and his place within it.
