One thing I feel we may have overlooked or undermined in our class discussions is Stephen's family life and its contribution to Stephen's own development. The novel opens with Stephen as an infant or toddler and his opinions of his parents at the time: his father looks stern yet is nonetheless a caring his storyteller, and his mother smells nice and plays music. He initially seems rather fond of and close to his family, for he is even allowed to sit with the adults at Christmas at a fairly young age, yet although he listens to their conversations, he has no opinion of his own and cannot participate.
In Chapter 2, however, it seems as though his relationship with his family changes along with their financial situation. For example, Stephen now becomes annoyed with his father's stories,. We see Stephen even try to physically break away from his parents on line 1317, when he "walked before them with short nervous steps". While Stephen's views of his family may be harsh in this chapter, they still represent Stephen's developing independence since he now participates in conversations with his parents and forms his own opinions.
By Chapter 5 this independence reaches its peak. The family is still intact, and Stephen still depends on his parents as shown by the scene where his mother washes him, but he clearly has become an individual separate from them. His mother, also representing his religious life, constantly urges him to return to his faith and possibly to priesthood, but he always refuses without hesitation, stating, "I will not serve." His father also disapproves of Stephen's way of life, referring to him as a "lazy bitch"(152), and he tries to sway him as well: "Father....asked me why I did not join a rowing club....wants me to read law." Yet Stephen remains unfazed by his father's remarks and merely "pretended to think it over."(222). Thus, even though he had been influenced by his family in the past, Stephen has become an adult and desires to make his own name, which he marks by leaving his life in Dublin behind.
Phil is right to point out that Stephen’s family is critical to Stephen’s development and the structure of the novel. He is embarrassed by his father, who blows the family resources. Stephen feels superior to his mother and her religious piety. But I wonder why he seems so deeply cynical about his mother – why is he so hostile to her? Maybe she represents Mother Ireland, whom Stephen is critical of because Joyce is attempting to make a statement about Ireland. Why does he respond so viciously to her? Why is he so mean? Does he feel guilt? His actions towards his mother defy expectations of how a son should feel.
ReplyDeleteI really like the idea that his mother represents Mother Ireland because as you say Joyce did have many criticisms toward the country. I think this is highlighted by the fact of her trying to get him to return to his faith, which was a huge part of Ireland's culture, and with trying to keep him from leaving Ireland because at the time many felt they had to leave in order to make something of themselves. But this would no answer all the questions you pose though as to why he is so viscous towards her. I think a possible answer to these questions is that his mother did not go fully support his choices. As really the only woman Stephen had any tangible relationship with I think when she does not agree with his choices he feels very hurt which is why he lashes out at her.
DeleteI somewhat agree with Phillip’s stance that Stephen’s maturation has led him to be more confident and to rely more on his own ideas and decisions. However, I do not think the transition from dependence on his family to young independence is as black-and-white as Phil makes it out to be. Firstly, I don’t think that the scene in which Stephen’s mother is bathing him really shows Stephen’s dependence. I interpreted this scene as Stephen simply being a lazy teenager having his mom scrub his back. Stephen is caught between childish dependence on his parents and truly thinking and acting for himself. After Stephen declares his independence from his family by rejecting his faith and saying that he will not serve God, he tries to appear mature by saying that he doesn’t really care for his parents, but after a short discussion with Cranly he realizes that he is not completely separate from his family: “Whatever else is unsure in this stinking dunghill of a world a mother’s love is not. [Her love] is real” (213). Stephen pretends to be unaffected by Cranly’s statement, but given the stream of consciousness narration, it is clear to the reader that Stephen is deeply affected by this dilemma. We see Stephen as a young man who has learned to be his own person, but he is still far from responsible independence.
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