Frank Delaney, a devoted admirer of Joyce and a gifted author himself, captures Stephen Dedalus with remarkable precision, describing him as “the intellectual command center of Ulysses.” This characterization aptly reflects Stephen’s role as Joyce’s central figure in the novel. Stephen also appears in Joyce’s earlier work, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, where he acts as Joyce’s autobiographical alter ego, embodying a journey of self-discovery and reflection. In Ulysses, we continue to explore Stephen’s (and thus Joyce’s) growth and development.
Joyce’s background profoundly influences Stephen’s character. Joyce grew up in a family that, once wealthy, faced financial ruin due to his father’s poor decisions and drinking problems. This instability and the strained father-son relationship are central themes in Ulysses. The impact of a father’s downfall and the expectations of a father figure shape Stephen’s experiences and desires throughout the novel.
Joyce’s own struggles with religious constraints are mirrored in Stephen’s wavering commitment to religion. Stephen’s reflections on his mother’s final days are evident from the first chapter, reflecting Joyce’s own experiences with his mother’s prolonged illness. In Ulysses, we see Stephen’s evolving ideals and beliefs as he grapples with his identity and place in the world, a struggle poignantly captured in A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, of when he contemplates: “I am Stephen Dedalus. I am in Ireland. Ireland is in the world. The world is in the universe.” This introspective passage underscores Stephen’s quest to understand his role within the vast expanse of reality, continuing into Ulysses.
A few themes to be on the look out for:
The Father Figure
The Usurper - The Church, Ireland, Booze
Stay tuned to follow along in Stephens evolution.
Detail of a photograph taken of Joyce at the time of his graduation from University College, Dublin in 1902. Source: www.pinterest.com.
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