Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man

*Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man* by James Joyce is a semi-autobiographical novel that traces the intellectual and emotional growth of Stephen Dedalus from childhood to early adulthood. Through stream-of-consciousness narration, the book explores Stephen’s evolving sense of identity, religion, and artistic ambition within the context of Irish society. It examines the struggles of finding personal freedom and artistic expression amid social and religious pressures. The novel is a profound meditation on self-discovery, the development of a young artist’s conscience, and the shaping of individual identity.