with an introduction and notes by dr. jacqueline belanger, university of cardiff a portrait of the artist as a young man represents the transitional stage between the realism of joyce's dubliners and the symbolism of ulysses, and is essential to the understanding of the later work.
the novel is a highly autobiographical account of the adolescence of stephen dedalus, who reappears in ulysses, and who comes to realize that before he can become a true artist, he must rid himself of the stultifying effects of the religion, politics and essential bigotry of his background in late 19th century ireland.
written with a light touch,this is perhaps the most accessible of joyce's works.