Woman as a symbol in chapter 2
Woman as a symbol in chapter 2Woman as a Symbol in Chapter 2
Woman is used many times in Joyce's Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. Stephen Dedalus, the main character of the work, is fascinated by woman. This fascination is played upon in many circumstances.
First and foremost is the relationship he has with Dante, his aunt. While this relationship is mostly discussed in the first chapter, it's ramifications can be seen in the second. Stephen is often reminded of his aunt, and the green and red brushes she always had. he draws many conclusions (however ill informed they are) from the knowledge of his aunt. He views women, as did most boys in his culture, as something alien; something that he would understand 'when he grew up'.
Women are presented as mysterious, as when Stephen is looking at "The Beautiful Mabel Hunter" in the evening paper. He stares at the picture with awe and not a little confusion- what should he feel?
Stephen is possessing a self-consciousness that is so melancholy as to be called morbid. He has, like most young men, horrible doubts about himself. Women further complicate his disposition. For example, when he says goodbye to Eileen at the tram; he knows he should kiss her, but he is mortally afraid to do so.
Again, like most boys his age, he thought understanding of women would happen in an instant:
Weakness and timidity and
inexperience would fall from
him in that magic moment (65).
This stems from the Irish Catholic culture that has surrounded him his whole life.
Also, sex before marriage was a sin- and anything that could lead to sex (a kiss) was to be avoided, as that too could lead to sin. Stephen has such low self-esteem at this point, he is scared of making any move towards any girl.
Another example of the use of woman is his being teased by Heron and his fellows before the play. Stephen's "governess" enters the playhouse, waiting to watch Stephen perform. Heron catches wind of that, and begins to tease him mercilessly, almost driving Stephen to tears. Women have been a constant, open wound with Stephen; and, like a wound that doesn't heal, the subject of 'women' causes him pain every time...
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