A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man – Wordsworth Classics (Paperback) James Joyce (author), Dr Jacqueline Belanger (author of introduction and notes), Dr Keith Carabine (series editor)

With an Introduction and Notes by Dr. Jacqueline Belanger, University of Cardiff.

A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man represents the transitional stage between the realism of Joyce’s Dubliners and the symbolism of Ulysses, and is essential to the understanding of the later work.

This novel is a highly autobiographical account of the adolescence of Stephen Dedalus, who reappears in Ulysses, and who comes to realize that before he can become a true artist, he must rid himself of the stultifying effects of the religion, politics and essential bigotry of his background in late 19th century Ireland.

Written with a light touch, this is perhaps the most accessible of Joyce’s works.