A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man

About “A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man”

Stephen Dedalus is a boy from Dublin who feels out of place among other children. His early life is marked by bullying, the shortcomings of his father, and his own growing sense that he must break away from traditional paths to become an artist. The story follows his journey through childhood and adolescence as he comes to terms with his identity and ambitions. This summary is part of the Penguin Popular Classics series, which introduces readers to essential works of literature.