In A Portrait of The Artist as A Young Man, James Joyce uses moments of clarity and a recognitionof another perspective as "epiphanies." The reader becomes aware of the change in Stephen'scharacter, however momentary, and this drives the plot of the novel. In Stephen Hero, an earlierversion of A Portrait of The Artist as a Young Man, Stephen is referring to the clock at the BallastOffice, a seemingly insignificant building and clock but capable of making Stephen thinkbecause, "all at once I see it and I know at once what it is: epiphany."Stephen will face many challenges and his self-development and sense of awareness will reflectthe impact of life and the economic hardships that he and his family must confront. Thisensures that "epiphany' is a very personal experience. Having felt "small and weak" throughoutthe first chapter due to his own shortcomings, Stephen, at the conclusion of chapter one, comesto a realization that he is in a position to embarrass Father Dolan but, in a schoolboy version ofhumility, despite being justified in bringing Father Dolan to account, he vows that he will not.After his sexual encounter and his epiphany at the end of chapter two; "surrendering himself;"he becomes weighed down by his own sinful acts which "kill(s) the body and (it) kill(s) thesoul." By the end of chapter three, he revels in the life-changing potential that he now faces andthe power and potential of "Another life! A life of grace and virtue and happiness!" As Stephentakes Communion, he feels the real power of the act of Holy Communion as he accepts that"Past is past." His feelings are very real and immediate, even if by the end of chapter four hechooses one path and then a different path. Life and experience goes "on and on and on andon."By the end of the novel, Stephen has realized the power of his own contribution, not only to hisself-development, but in promoting "the uncreated conscience of my race." James Joyce ensurescontinuity through the use of epiphany because all of the revelations and realizations provideStephen with guidance and acknowledge the contribution of each and every experience indeveloping Stephen's character and his ability to make a difference.

MUHAMAD AHMADHighlight

MUHAMAD AHMADHighlight

MUHAMAD AHMADHighlight