A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man

Stephen’s family sinks into worsening poverty. They pawn their possessions to buy food and, while eating the low-quality meal, Stephen inspects “the pawn tickets” (197). Stephen’s mother believes that university has “changed” (199) him. His father insists that he is lazy. Feeling exasperated and annoyed, Stephen goes out for a walk through Dublin’s rainy streets. He recites poems and thinks about philosophy. When a clock strikes 11, he is reminded of his friend, MacCann. According to MacCann, Stephen is “an antisocial being” (201). Stephen does not agree. He suddenly recalls that he is meant to be attending an English lecture but he is unmoved, as his university experience is not what he imagined. He pictures the other students diligently taking notes in the lecture.

On his way to the university campus, Stephen thinks about his friend, Davin. Among many things, Davin is a fierce advocate for Irish independence from the British Empire. One time, Davin was nearly seduced by a housewife; the only person he has ever told of this is Stephen. Deciding not to attend his French lecture, Stephen visits the physics department of the university. He spots the dean, who is in the middle of

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