59 pages • 1 hour read
James JoyceA Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1916A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man follows Stephen Dedalus as he grows up in Ireland at the end of the 19th century, experiencing educational, political, and artistic awakenings that shape his identity. From strict Jesuit schooling and religious tension to a struggle with faith and eventual artistic enlightenment, Stephen's journey depicts his increasing alienation and desire to leave Ireland for his artistic dreams. The novel addresses corporal punishment and intense religious influence.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
James Joyce's A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man is celebrated for its innovative stream-of-consciousness style and deep exploration of identity and self-discovery. While some readers find the prose challenging and complex, many appreciate the novel's rich symbolism and profound insights into the protagonist's psyche.
Who Should Read A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man?
A reader who enjoys modernist literature, deep psychological insights, and intricate narrative techniques would appreciate James Joyce's A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. Fans of Virginia Woolf’s To the Lighthouse or Marcel Proust’s In Search of Lost Time would find similar intellectual and artistic explorations.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsLexile Level
1060LBook Details
Classic Fiction
Coming of Age / Bildungsroman
Auto/Biographical Fiction
Modernism
Life/Time: Coming of Age
Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality
Values/Ideas: Art