Stephen's Epihaneezy

I think the underlying sexism in the Dedalus household is quite apparent throughout the book, but only really begins to manifest itself through the father's fornications with the college women. Mr. Dedalus seems to be acting out his disappointment in Stephen's depression by being so immature. Stephen is slightly disgusted by this realization and a bit shamed, but his real epiphany is when he decides to place a higher faith in art rather than religion. After all of the energy he put into worship and prayer he abandons it for an entirely new form of spiritual expression. I got the impression that Joyce was influenced by existentialism because of the way he describes the whole art "versus" religion conflict.