Setting
The publication of Portrait in book form in 1916 coincided with one of the most important events in modern Irish history: the Easter Rising (also […]
A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man
Themes and Characters
Of all the characters in the novel, Stephen Dedalus is the only one whose portrait is fully realized. His most intimate thoughts, memories and sensations […]
Literary Qualities
The term “epiphany” looms large in Joyce’s earlier work, providing a helpful point of entry into both Dubliners and Portrait. The term’s roots are Greek; […]
Social Sensitivity
As a novel about a young man’s development as he tries to realize an ideal vision of himself as an artist who stands aloof from […]
Topics for Discussion
1. How likable is Stephen Dedalus? What are the positive and negative aspects of his character? 2. How does Stephen develop over his years at […]
Ideas for Reports and Papers
1. The first chapter of the novel coincides with the downfall and death of Charles Stewart Parnell, who is throughout that chapter an important figure […]
Related Titles and Adaptations
A fairly well-received film version of Portrait was made in 1979 by Joseph Strick with Bosco Hogan playing the role of Stephen. The novel’s “sequel,” […]