Stephen's journey to maturity in a portrait of the artist as a young man by James Joyce In A portrait of the artist as a young man, the author James Joyce uses Stephen's development from a sensitive child to a rebellious young man to develop the plot of the novel. 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 about to art. food and shelter are one of the most powerful impulses in Stephen's life. Religion serves as a guide and savior for Stephen, but it is also responsible for his troubled youth and distracting him from his artistic development. Raised in a strict Catholic family, Stephen is raised as a good Catholic boy who will follow the teachings of Catholicism as guidance in his life. His family's severity is shown when his mother tells him to "sorry" (4) or "the eagles will come and put out his eyes" (4). Stephen is taught by his mother to be tolerant when she "[tells him] not to talk to the rude college boys" (5). Likewise, Stephen's father also taught him a Catholic quality by telling Stephen to "never criticize a companion" (6). Evidence of Stephen following the quality of “never criticizing” (6) is shown when Stephen agrees not to talk to Wells in order to push him into a ditch. However, as Stephen matures into his adolescence, religion becomes his savior rather than his guide. As Stephen's family situation worsens, he sees the priesthood as a way to escape poverty and shame Stephen's personal gain... middle of paper... everything [he] can, using for [his] defense the only weapons [he] allows [himself] to use: silence, exile, and cunning" (226-269). By discussing how education influences Stephen from a child to a young man, Joyce showed the reader the development of Stephen as an artist and human being A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man is an autobiography of James Joyce that provides the influential aspects of his life and artistic development to the reader through the eyes of Stephen Dedalus' fictional character, Stephen's journey to maturing and becoming an artist is influenced by his religion, sexuality, and upbringing. However, Stephen is able to overcome obstacles arising from these aspects and live his life to the fullest. Work cited Joyce, James. A portrait of the artist as a young man. 1916. New York: Penguin,1993.