Initial SituationEarly Childhood (Chapter One)We meet Stephen as a very small child, barely capable of putting together a coherent stream ofthought. Chapter One is mostly disjointed and somewhat difficult to really follow; its Joycesway of introducing us to character, setting, and premise without ever overtly doing anything.AND ITS GENIUS. Seriously very, very little happens in this entire chapter, yet when itsover, we feel entirely integrated into Stephens little world. Furthermore, we feel like werealready on board with Joyces artistic mission of submerging his readers in Stephens life, notwith a simple show-and-tell exposition, but as a complete, multi-sensory experience. This is the3-D IMAX version of most opening chapters.ConflictThe visit to Cork (Chapter Two)Stephens early period of discontent reaches its peak here. His embarrassment about his father,the frustration over the familys financial situation, and his increasing feeling of alienation allcombust. The pathetically nostalgic tone of his fathers reminiscing strikes a note of discord inStephen, and throughout this section, he feels increasingly alienated and hopeless, as though"he could respond to no earthly or human appeal."ComplicationStephens encounter with the prostitute (end of Chapter Two)In his current hopeless state, Stephen feels as though he has nothing to lose. He gives in to hisphysical lusts and goes to the red light district. The awkward scene with the prostitutedemonstrates both willingness and reluctance (he doesnt want to kiss her). This shows usStephen at his most confused and aimless, where his romantic visions and poetic aspirations arenowhere in sight.ClimaxStephens confession and re-dedication to Catholicism (end of Chapter Three)Chapter Three is like one giant pot of "yuck" that simmers and simmers until it finally explodesat the end. Father Arnalls sermon prepares us for the emotional climax of Stephens religiousrenewal by constantly building upon his (and our) anxieties. Stephens confession of his sins isboth a moment of catharsis and a kind of breaking point he divorces himself from his old life,and we are filled with a profound anxiety about what his new life will be like.Suspense

Chapter Four, pre-epiphany and Stephens religious phaseSo, this doesnt exactly line up with the common conception of "Suspense," but it at leastapproximates it. Chapter Four, in which we witness the aforementioned new life that Stephenfinds in the church, is just a long period of a kind of uncomfortable limbo. If Stephens goal is,as we think it is, to become an artist, this period of self-denial and mortification is not helpinghim get there. If anything, it appears to have totally derailed his plans. We are uncertain as towhether or not Stephen will return to his old self, or if hes just going to be ridiculously,alarmingly, and somewhat comically pious for the rest of his lonely life.DenouementEnd of Chapter FourThe moment of Stephens epiphany is also the moment in which we know that things will comeout right. If one were to take the name of this stage literally, one might say that the tangled knotof Stephens religious anxieties unravels, but we think that ties things up a little too neatly (oh,arent we so punny). No, we arent sure that absolutely everything in Stephens life will beresolved by his special moment at the seaside; after all, its just a first step in the process ofheading out and discovering his own individual beliefs and goals. However, that being said, itsa pretty huge step. If this were a Shakespeare play, people would be getting married left andright. Actually, thats an interesting way to think of it you could stay that Stephen decides tomarry his soul to art and dedicate his life to it.ConclusionTransition to first-person narration and Stephen prepares to leave Ireland (Chapter Five)Finally, we see Stephen himself take over the narration and thus take control of his life. Sure,hes still immature and retains some of his earlier pomposity, but at least we can see that hestrying to deal with his emotions in more of an honest, less manipulative way. His decision toleave Ireland, his family, and his past signals the true beginning of his life as an artist. We dontknow whats going to happen to him (well, actually, if we just follow through with the Joyceparallel, we sort of do hell move to Paris, write some awesome books, including this one, andbecome one of the all-powerful rulers of the literary world. MWAH HAH HAH HAH!).Anyway, we dont know for sure whats going to happen to him, but we are caught up in hisexcitement. By the time he gets to those last few lines sigh, this ending gets us every time were almost as excited for Stephens departure as he is. Here, we see him at his most optimistic,and perhaps even most youthful, freed from the anxieties of his childhood, looking towards thefuture with wide, hopeful eyes.