Sunday, March 22, 2009
The Epiphany
Like what others have said, I believe that Stephan's epiphany is about his choosing art over religion. On page 149 Stephen basically professes his love of words. On page 151 Joyce uses stream of consciousness to show Stephens thoughts: "[Art] was the call of life to his soul not the dull gross voice of the world of duties and despair, not the inhuman voice that had called him to the pale service of the altar." However, I think that part of Stephens epiphany is also the idea of liberation through art. He mentions flying and trembling because of his excitement. These may have been his feelings because of the fact that he was having the epiphany, and because of it he felt liberated, but I think that it's also because art provides such an amazing experience for him. Any opinions?
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this book mystifies me honestly. I read the same page over and over and still do not really get it maybe its just me. But i agree with everyone and hanna about the epiphany being about his decision between art and religion. I agree with you hanna when you say that he is liberated. I think that this whole book centers around that thought. He is constantly striving to become someone that he is not. I think that through art he can be who ever he wants to be without anyone passing judgement. At the beginning of the reading his dad calls him a name. And (I'm sorry ms siegel) but at the xmas dinner he is trying to be an adult when he sits with them at dinner as opposed to being with the children. I believe that art is his outlet for Stephen's feelings about life. That is why i completely agree with hanna.
ReplyDeleteGoing along with what hannah and jamie both said, i think that the central focus of the whole book was Stephen's place in his own society and his feeling of liberty and freedom. When the book turned from Joyce's point of view to Stephen's point of view, it enabled me to understand Stephen's thoughts more clearly. By the end of chapter 5, it was evident that Stephen had become more comfortable with females; being able to talk to Emma instead of letting them control him. And, going back to the symbolic meaning of birds; i think they represent his escape from society and from college. He was constantly talking to Cranly about leaving school to get a better understanding of his life and pursue his ambitions. Overall, i think this book was probablyyyy one of the most boring and challenging books i have read.
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