Quotes From 'An Old Man' By Stephen

There is a time Hester asks him for help when the old minister tries to take Pearl away from her, she says “Thou wast my pastor, and hadst charge of my soul, and knows me better than these men can. I will not lose my child! Speak for me! Thou knows,—for thou hast sympathies which these men lack!—thou knows what is in my heart, and what are a mother’s rights, and how much the stronger there are when that mother has but her child and the scarlet letter! Look thou to it! I will not lose the child! Look to it!” (105). At that time there’s an opportunity that he could tell everyone the truth and stand up for them, but he chooses to hide it instead to admit what he has done and allow everyone to learn from his imperfection. He is the worst sinner because he is a coward that he decides not to confess to everyone even though he has so many opportunities.

The character helps understand the theme in the story, that individuality must be treasured in our society, because it shows what the emotional and physical links to the society in the book, as well as the mental states and feelings influencing the text.

Stephen has low self esteem because his father views him as a disappointment. Father son relationships are vital in helping a child form their identity and their view of what it means to be a man. According to Stephen’s father, a man is burly and somber and does not waste their time on childish dreams. By these standards, Stephen “[can] never become a man.” For instance, Stephen’s willowy figure is not capable of achieving the strength the other men possess. More importantly, he is too fascinated with beauty to desire to pursue the life of

Stephen expresses his feeling of determination, when he claims, “No it ain’t too hard for me. Not by a god damn sight.” Certainly, Stephen finds purpose in life, when he feels, the well-accompanied reputation in his father’s eyes, He feels as clear and happy as pores underlying the skin, without the existence of makeup.

The setting that Stephen is in requires him to be well built and mentally prepared, but unfortunately, he is too young to be prepared for his surroundings. Stephen has been in

     Despite his situation, Stephen is able to separate the good from the bad and his experiences benefit him greatly. In the

the witch trials and his own morals. It shows a better understanding of all the characters as a

Shortly after his mother's death, in place of Stephen Hero, Joyce wrote A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, which was based on the events of his life (Gifford 160). In this largely autobiographical novel, Joyce wrote that "I go to encounter for the millionth time the reality of experience and to force in the smithy of my soul the uncreated conscience of my race" (Gifford 177). Joyce appears as the character Stephen Dedalus in this book. Like Joyce, Stephen finds himself in conflict with his family, the Roman Catholic Church, and the nationalistic zeal of the Irish people. Also, like Joyce, Dedalus leaves Ireland and wishes to become a writer (www.jamesjoyce.ie). By depicting Stephen with a mixture of irony and sympathy, Joyce suggests the special importance of the artist in the modern world.

Stephen is able to complete the redemption cycle when he sins, exhibits his flaws, against his sister Gertrude because of his strong connection with Christ and his willingness to seek help from God. Stephen is hurt by his sister's action and proceeds to let his anger out at her when he confronts her: “you have shamed us…a liquor seller, a prostitute, with a child…how could you do this to us?”(Paton 61). When encountering his sister cry from his actions he immediately finds himself ashamed and repents. Stephen turns to God and prays for him and Gertrude, “God forgives us...Who am I not to forgive? Let us pray” (Paton 61). The first quote displays Stephen's anger towards the situation and the way he takes out of his sister and her issues. The characteristics

One key part of Keith is his exploration with Stephen. Frayn shows the ironic discrepancy between both Stephen and Keith as they go through adolescence throughout the novel, but manages to capture

When the reader is first introduced to this character it is through the listing of three declarative clauses in one of Stephen’s long, complex sentences. It is here that his fragmented memory is emphasised by the fragmented syntax where only glimpses of Mrs

The second episode relates to stealing money from others. Stephen recounts how excited was to be in a room where you are not supposed to be in, looking for things and enjoying the adrenaline rush in his body, a lack of morality is strongly present. At that time nobody suspected of his illness and then he was expelled for what they called bad behaviour.

Young Stephen's first romantic interest in the opposite sex comes in the form of his playmate, Eileen, whom he plans to marry when they are older. This assertion, although childishly innocent, is nonetheless the first suggestion that sexual and romantic relationships with women will be important to Stephen as he matures. Indeed, the appearance of punishment, romance, and inspiration at such an early point in the novel creates a sense of the interconnected effect they will have on Stephen and his art. The association of women with each of these essential elements establishes yet another link between them, and emphasizes the central role women will play in Stephen's life.

Stephen starts as an object - Baby Tuckoo - in his father's story of his early years and is thus without his own identity. Later, at Clongowes, he is either gripped with embarrassment as he fails to connect with his peers or speechless at a family Christmas dinner as debate and anger rages around him. He is isolated, associating only with the sounds of words (belt, iss, suck) and other stimuli. He doesn't understand the schoolboy argot and his consequent victimisation is all too predictable as his peers react with typical schoolboy nastiness to a boy who doesn't fit in.

At college, a similar incident supports this idea of isolation caused by rebellion and rejection of authority. When Stephen refuses to sign a petition to ask for world peace, he suffers criticism from his friends. Amidst the criticism, however, Stephen dissociates himself from his schoolmates and his environment by saying, " When the soul of a man is born in this country there are nets flung at it to hold it back from flight. You talk to me of nationality, language, religion. I shall try to fly by those nets" (Joyce 203). Although Stephen isolates himself by rejecting authority and rebelling against conformity, he eventually breaks free from their restrictions to find personal freedom essential for the artist to reach maturity.