Stephen's Journey to Maturation in a Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James JoyceIn A Portrait of the Artist as young man, author James Joyce uses Stephen's development from a sensitive child to a rebellious young man to develop the novel's plot. In this novel, Joyce suggests that through Stephen's experiences with religion, sexuality, and education, Stephen not only becomes more mature, but these experiences also inspire him to redefine his world and his understanding of his true feelings towards art. Religion, besides the practical need for food and shelter, is one of the most powerful motivations in Stephen's life. Religion serves as Stephen's guide and savior, but it is also responsible for his tormented youth and distracts him from his artistic development. As a child growing up in a strict Catholic family, Stephen is raised to be a good Catholic boy who will follow the teaching of Catholicism as a guide in his life. The severity of his family is demonstrated when his mother tells him to either “apologize” (4) or “the eagles will come and pluck out his eyes” (4). His mother teaches Stephen to be tolerant when she “[told] him not to talk with the tough boys at school” (5). Likewise, Stephen's father also taught him a Catholic quality by telling him to "never sin on a fellow" (6). Evidence that Stephen follows the quality "never sin" (6) is demonstrated when Stephen agrees not to report Wells for However, as Stephen grows into his adolescence, religion becomes his savior rather than his guide. As Stephen's family condition deteriorates, he sees the priesthood as a way to escape poverty and shame. Stephen's personal gain...... middle of paper...... as much as [he] can, using for [his] defense the only weapons [he] allows himself to use - the silence, exile and trickery. " (226-269). By discussing how education affects Stephen, from his childhood to his young manhood, Joyce showed the reader Stephen's development as an artist and a human being. The novel, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man is an autobiography by James Joyce that delivers influential aspects of his life and artistic development to the reader through the eyes of the fictional character Stephen Dedalus. In the novel, Stephen's journey. towards maturation and becoming an artist is influenced by his religion, his sexuality and his education Yet, Stephen is able to overcome the obstacles resulting from these aspects and live his life to the fullestJoyce, James. as a young man 1916. New York: Penguin.,1993.