A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce, serves as a psychological look at the maturation that occurs in children as they constantly absorb different elements Stephen Dedalus represents what most boys experience while growing up, and his struggles and triumphs serve as an ideal example for the Bildungsroman genre, Joyce's inclusion of vivid imagery and sensory details provides a better reader It's important notice his use of imagery to mature Stephen's character throughout the novel and how these influence Stephen's behavior as he explores his sexuality, struggles to accept religion, and attempts to understand his calling in life beyond school told in A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, centers on Stephen Dedalus, a young Irish schoolboy in the early 20th century. Using stream of consciousness, Joyce provides his reader with a first-hand perspective into the mind of the protagonist Stephen . From the time he is a toddler until his twenties, Stephen goes through many personality changes that mimic what every human goes through growing up. Joyce makes Stephen's case different by incorporating countless influences into his life, including Stephen's father, ever-present thoughts of sex, cows, and fiery sermons condemning sinners for their wrong doings. Ultimately Stephen must figure out what he wants in life beyond his natural impulses and the need to appease the religious part of his psyche. For much of the novel, Stephen struggles with the urges of sexuality and the need to delve into his innate feelings as a teenager. His encounter with a prostitute in... middle of the paper... a decision in the future, after realizing that the priesthood is not for him. Joyce finally gives the character of Stephen a strong psychological state to overcome his problems and see beyond the once flaunted idea of ​​living for others instead of living for himself. A portrait of the artist as a young man has its idiosyncrasies throughout, but James Joyce manages to present an entire transformation through random thoughts and images. Stephen Dedalus embodies the coming of age story with his urge to commit sinful acts, but tries to remain pious to pursue his dream of becoming a priest. The use of imagery and symbolism throughout the novel serves as a reliable means of maturation, without convoluting the overall theme with indecipherable meanings. Works Cited Joyce, James. A portrait of the artist as a young man. London: Penguin Books, 1993.