Po Trait of an Artist as a Young Man
Spring K | St. John | AP LIT
A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man Q&A
Part I
1. Simon Dedalus and John Casey argue with Dante Riordan, a devout supporter of the priests who disowned Charles Parnell over his adultery with Kitty O’Shea. Dedalus and Casey feel that the church and the state should be separated, that religion should not be an influence in the subject of politics. Dante, on the other hand, sees the priests as God’s representatives, saying that it was right for Parnell to be disowned from his position because he had sinned. Stephen was brought up as a devout Catholic, but when he is exposed to the argument during Christmas Dinner, Stephen experiences a new perspective on religion due to his father’s beliefs, and also Mr. Casey’s when he argues with Dante, saying, “We have too much God in Ireland. Away with God!”
2. Stephen is more of an outsider when it comes to him and the other boys at Clongowes Wood College. When other kids are playing ball, Stephen doesn’t participate. Some boys also do not treat him very nicely, making fun of his name and both his parents, asking about his social rank, and pushing him in ditches. The way Stephen interprets God and himself separates him from the other children; Stephen focuses on the cosmos and wonders above religion; his passion for art shines through at an early age. When he meditates on the red rose and white rose, ‘those were beautiful colours to think of.” It seems that Stephen is ignoring politics and history, and merely seeing the beauty of it.
3. Stephen meets Eileen Vance, the daughter of his wealthy neighbor. In young Stephen’s eyes his first female encounter is innocent and she acts as an icon for the Virgin Mary. Eileen has long white hands like the Tower of Ivory and fair gold hair like the House of Gold. Eileen is a protestant and “Protestants used to make fun of the litany of the Blessed Virgin”, therefore Dante doesn’t want Stephen to have any association with her.
4. In
A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man Q&A
Part I
1. Simon Dedalus and John Casey argue with Dante Riordan, a devout supporter of the priests who disowned Charles Parnell over his adultery with Kitty O’Shea. Dedalus and Casey feel that the church and the state should be separated, that religion should not be an influence in the subject of politics. Dante, on the other hand, sees the priests as God’s representatives, saying that it was right for Parnell to be disowned from his position because he had sinned. Stephen was brought up as a devout Catholic, but when he is exposed to the argument during Christmas Dinner, Stephen experiences a new perspective on religion due to his father’s beliefs, and also Mr. Casey’s when he argues with Dante, saying, “We have too much God in Ireland. Away with God!”
2. Stephen is more of an outsider when it comes to him and the other boys at Clongowes Wood College. When other kids are playing ball, Stephen doesn’t participate. Some boys also do not treat him very nicely, making fun of his name and both his parents, asking about his social rank, and pushing him in ditches. The way Stephen interprets God and himself separates him from the other children; Stephen focuses on the cosmos and wonders above religion; his passion for art shines through at an early age. When he meditates on the red rose and white rose, ‘those were beautiful colours to think of.” It seems that Stephen is ignoring politics and history, and merely seeing the beauty of it.
3. Stephen meets Eileen Vance, the daughter of his wealthy neighbor. In young Stephen’s eyes his first female encounter is innocent and she acts as an icon for the Virgin Mary. Eileen has long white hands like the Tower of Ivory and fair gold hair like the House of Gold. Eileen is a protestant and “Protestants used to make fun of the litany of the Blessed Virgin”, therefore Dante doesn’t want Stephen to have any association with her.
4. In