A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man

The novel explores the religious and intellectual awakening of Stephen Dedalus, a character representing Joyce himself. As he navigates his formative years, Stephen challenges the Catholic and Irish conventions of his upbringing, ultimately leading to his decision to self-exile to Europe. This modernist Künstlerroman intricately weaves themes of identity and rebellion, using Stephen's journey to reflect on the struggle between personal freedom and societal expectations.