A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce

Analysis of a Symbol

 A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, is the story of Stephen Dedalus finding who he truly is. He realizes he is different, but it takes him a while to realize that being different is just as good, and even better than being the same. This message of individuality is symbolized by the green rose in the opening pages of the novel. As Stephen describes the rose to be wild, one of a kind, out of the ordinary, he hopes that "somewhere in the world you could" find one. This rose reflects him as a person. The green rose is so unique and different that it is uncommon and hard to find, but it is out there. The green rose is far from normal, but far from ugly; it is just as beautiful as the pink, lavender and cream colored roses. Stephen sees the beauty in this green rose, which later reflects the beauty and appreciation he sees within himself for being different. By the end of the novel, he has transformed into his own self; bloomed into the green rose.

Analysis of a Quote/Passage (Part V ONLY!!!)

"'The soul is born,' he (Stephen) said vaguely, 'first in those moments I told you of. It has a slow and dark birth, more mysterious than the birth of the body. 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 179-180). *Note - I have a different version of the book so the page numbers are not the same*

Wow. This quote is so elegant, simple, yet so deep and significant at the same time. In these few sentences, Stephen profoundly states the essence of this novel, finding oneself among the sea of others' expectations. Stephen describes the birth of the soul to be a "slow and dark birth." Unlike the birth of the body, the physical birth, the birth of the spirit is a more gradual process. It is like a flower, it needs to grow, and be in the light. Until that flower has bloomed it is smothered in darkness, uncertainty, the unknown. Once in the light, the soul is born, the individual acknowledges the person they are destined to be, their soul is found. To do this however, to reach the light, the soul must break free from the contraints of others; the nets. Stephen realizes the need to break free to truly discover himself, his soul, which is why he exclaims "You talk to me of nationality, language, religion. I shall try to fly by those nets" For the majority of Stephen's life up to this point has been chosen for him; others expectations, rules and desires for him. His nationality, language and religion have all been nets for him, nets that have shaped who he is, but also have binded him.

In expressing the need to break free, Stephen describes this need to "fly" away, take flight, allowing the soul to be born. This further incorporates the allusion to Daedalus, the greek artist who created wax wings to escape, to fly away. This quote ties into that allusion which ties into the self discovery aspect of the novel.

Reflecting Upon This...

Looking back and thinking of this novel, I think it was exceptionally written. The entirety of the text embodies and symbolizes the maturation of Stephen Dedalus, as he grows out of boyhood, and becomes the man and artist he was destined to be. The language of the text enhances this by starting out simple and evolving into complex, beautiful sentences; into the true form of art Stephen perceives and appreciates. His growth is also seen in the transition of third person limited view to first person perspective, as Stephen grasps and shares his own thoughts. These elements, as well as Stephen's growth in itself, made the novel, for the most part, enjoyable to read.

However, I must admit, although I found some pleasure in reading this novel, it was not one of my favorites. Each memory and event in Stephen's life is in one way or another significant, and helps mold him as a person, yet, there were too many memories; too many little details and little scenes to keep track of and remember. I think part of it is simply out of the fact that the memories are not epic moments, but sheerly every day experiences. They are monumental moments to Stephen, being that they are defining moments for him, however when compared to the experiences of his peers may seem insignifcant on the surface. And being that the plot consists solely of these experiences, it is quite overwhelming to find the deep significance in each of them, and be able to recall them, having read the novel for the very first time.

I think if I were to read A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, again, I would enjoy it more. After having read it, and knowing what happens, I would be able to look for and appreciate the significance of Stephen's life experiences.

The Story of Daedalus and Icarus

Freedom

The Green Rose

Richard III by William Shakespeare

Where to begin? The War of Roses...the bloodshed of war...the bloodshed of a tyrant...the triumph of good and the union of families.

The House of York

The House of Lancaster

 The two houses under the rule of Richard.

The union and rebirth of the House of York and the House of Lancaster.

The Conscience

Throughout Richard III, Shakespeare presents the issue of following or disregarding one's conscience. Following one's conscience was often seen as a sign of weakness, and oftentimes the driving reason behind ignoring it. Multiple times in the play, a contrast is made between Richard and other characters when it comes to the conscience. Not once does Richard seek his conscience in making a decision. In fact, Richard's conscience is never even mentioned, leading to the conclusion that he does not have one. This reflects just how evil Richard is; so dark that nothing can soften his cruel, hard heart. Such evilness is further developed in the contrast created when other characters, also evil, consult their consciences. In Scene 4 of Act I, the Second Murderer is uncertain in whether or not he really wants to go through with the murder of Clarence. "Faith, some certain dregs of conscience are yet within me" he informs the First Murderer. Of all people, even a murderer has a conscience, which he ultimately follows, as illustrated in the warning he gives Clarence. This establishes a sharp, defined comparison to Richard. In showing a spark of goodness in a murderer, Shakespeare develops the magnitude of evilness embodied in Richard's soul. Such absence of any trace of goodness in Richard is also seen in the murder of the two princes. One of the murderers, Forrest, almost decides against the hideous act; just for a moment, there is hesitation; the conscience is considered.

Thus via the conflict of the conscience, and Richard's apparent lack of such conflict, Shakespeare is able to depict just how evil Richard really is. This further establishes one of the overall themes of the play, evil versus good.

Favorite Quote

"I have bewept a worthy husband's death,/ And have lived by looking at his images: But now two mirrors of his princely semblance/ Are crack'd in pieces by malignant death/ And I, for comfort, have but one false glass, / Which grieves me when I see my shame in him" says the Duchess of York (Shakespeare 2.2)

This is by far my favorite quote because it is so significant. It not only discloses key details about the Duchess of York, but also Richard. The pain, shame, and helplessness that the Duchess feels is revealed. She describes her melancholy over losing her husband, but how she overcomes it via her two sons, Clarence and Edward, the two shining images of her husband. Both of them essentially are their father, in physical resemblance and spirit. Now however, even those beautiful mirrors are cracked to pieces. The Duchess's two support beams have fallen, leaving her helpless, and alone. Alone, by the fact that she does not consider Richard her son. He is the cursed abomination that her womb bore, the false glass. Richard's false glass represents his two different faces. He appears to be the kind, gentle brother, but deep down, he is the dark, cruel, and pure evil one. In being glass, as opposed to a mirror, he is transparent to his mother; she is one of the few who know who he truly is, and is disgusted with him to the point of disowning him.

Thoughts on the Play

This play was artfully crafted - then again it is Shakespeare, so no surprise there. I found slight humor (but mostly pity) in the naiveness of every character Margaret dooms; how just about every single one of them does not acknowledge the truth about Richard, until it is too late; how Margaret's intuition, curses, and forewarnings prove true. Furthermore, I must applaud Richard. Although his abhorrent actions are purely for his own benefit, and he kills so many, I must praise his success in the execution of his scheme. He has so many factors working against him, yet overcomes them and for the most part, uses these as advantages. For instance, with his physical deformity; he miraculously is able to woo Lady Anne. He also uses his deformity in his claim that his arm was withered by witchcraft. Richard is the essence of true evil and makes the play (hence the title); without him, Shakespeare would not have a play. And after Richard blackens everything in his path for the crown, this source of hideous evil is finally purged from the pages of the play. Good conquers evil - my favorite type of ending! So yes, I truly enoyed reading Richard III!