In "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man", what does Stephen Dedalus struggle with as he grows up?

Prepare for the Praxis Literary Texts and Authors Exam using flashcards and multiple-choice questions, with hints and explanations. Ace your test!

In "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man," Stephen Dedalus's journey is fundamentally shaped by his struggles with questions of faith and nationality. As he navigates his adolescence, he grapples with the influence of his Irish Catholic upbringing and the expectations that come with it. Stephen is often caught between the ideals imposed by his family, religion, and society, leading to an ongoing internal conflict regarding his identity and beliefs.

His struggle with faith manifests in moments of doubt and rebellion against the constraints of religion, which he feels stifles his artistic expression and personal freedom. Simultaneously, his sense of nationality complicates his identity further; he recognizes the historical and cultural weight of being Irish, yet he seeks to transcend those boundaries in his quest for self-definition and artistic integrity.

This thematic exploration of identity marks Stephen's growth and highlights his desire to forge a path distinct from societal norms, making these questions of faith and nationality central to the narrative of his development as an artist.

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