A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man

James Joyce, 1916

James Joyce’s novel of the childhood, schooling and youth of Stephen Dedalus in Ireland, from his first memories through a Jesuit education and a crisis of faith to his resolve to leave and become an artist.

Start reading10 chapters, about 85,000 words

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Once upon a time and a very good time it was there was a moocow coming down along the road and this moocow that was coming down along the road met a nicens little boy named baby tuckoo….
Chapter I (1 of 2)In context
- Children
He was alone. He was unheeded, happy and near to the wild heart of life.
Chapter IVIn context
- Happiness
- Life & Death
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.
Chapter V (2 of 3)In context
Ireland is the old sow that eats her farrow.
Chapter V (2 of 3)In context
- Clever Jabs
- Patriotism
Art is the human disposition of sensible or intelligible matter for an aesthetic end.
Notebook entry, Paris (28 March 1903)In context
- Art
Whatever else is unsure in this stinking dunghill of a world a mother’s love is not.
Chapter V (3 of 3)In context
- Family
- Love
I will not serve that in which I no longer believe, whether it call itself my home, my fatherland, or my church: and I will try to express myself in some mode of life or art as freely as I can and as wholly as I can, using for my defence the only arms I allow myself to use⁠—silence, exile and cunning.
Chapter V (3 of 3)In context
Welcome, O life! I go to encounter for the millionth time the reality of experience and to forge in the smithy of my soul the uncreated conscience of my race.
Chapter V (3 of 3)In context
- Art
- Experience

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Contents