We leave Stephen on the verge of his taking off into flight as an artist at the end of chapter 5. He is ready to go "Away! Away!" and speaks with conviction when his mother seemingly calls his decision into question, saying "Amen. So be it" (185). However, as sure as he is of his decision to leave society behind, he is not very sure of himself.
The swallows that Stephen notices earlier in the chapter illuminate this uncertainty as they serve as foreshadowing of Stephen's imminent flight. First, he admittedly cannot discern what kind of birds they are, representing his uncertainty about himself as a person. He has matured to the point that he is ready to leave society behind, but he is not sure of what kind of artist he will be of where exactly his new isolated life will lead him. Secondly, Stephen wonders if the birds are "for an augury of good or evil?" (164). He is not entirely sure whether his decision to leave behind the snares that are "nationality, language, and religion" is a good or bad one, but he is still going to make it with conviction and live his life with passion.
One might argue that this metaphorical blind take-off is a sign of immaturity, but Stephen's own recognition of the uncertainty seems refute this point. He even asks for the guidance of the great inventor Daedalus, a refreshing note of humility from the usually prideful Stephen and a further sign of his maturity in that he recognizes that although he needs to soar above society he cannot do so without the help of those great men gone before him and the people who have shaped him throughout his life.
Would you agree that Stephen maturation has come to fruition and that he is making the right decision in taking off to fly as an artist? Or is Stephen still being overly prideful and making the wrong choice in leaving his life behind?
The answer to Pat’s questions, I think, are “yes” to both. It is the right decision for Stephen, but at the same time it is overly prideful. I disagree that Stephen’s asking Daedulus, the great inventor, the great “artificer” (276), for guidance is an act of humility. I agree that Stephen is still not sure of himself, but he is sure (overly sure of himself) that he is rejecting his nation and his religion. Like that of Icarus, Stephen’s maturity may lag behind his impulsiveness.
ReplyDeleteI would say no to the first question and yes to the second. When I read that Stephen wanted to leave in order to become an artist I saw this as something that just some people do hoping to get inspired by new surroundings. But in Stephen's case I wonder if this is just a further continuation of his wanting separation from other people. Also I think his decision to be completely secluded makes little sense because I doubt he will have much inspiration if he does not go out and have experiences that will inspire him later. And as I believe Mr. Kennedy said in class that Stephen is back in Ireland in Ulysses after a failure in France.
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