Unveiling Aesthetics and Didacticism: Exploring Artistic discovery in A Portrait of the Artist as A Young Man by James Joyce

Abstract

In James Joyce’s A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, the delicate interplay of aesthetics and didacticism emerges as a defining feature. The narrative follows the protagonist Stephen Dedalus, on a tumultuous journey of self-discovery, seamlessly blending James Joyce’s innovative literary techniques with profound philosophical insights. This paper tries to bring out the dynamic relationship between aesthetics and didacticism which invites readers to navigate the intricate layers of artistic expression and intellectual awakening. This presentation underscores Stephen Dedalus’ evolving artistic consciousness, it unveils the nuanced ways of James Joyce which employs language, symbolism, and narrative structure to convey both aesthetic beauty and didactic messages. Simultaneously, it examines the didactic dimensions of the narrative, deciphering the moral and philosophical lessons embedded in Stephen’s journey. Ultimately, this exploration illuminates the symbiotic relationship between aesthetics and didacticism in James Joyce’s masterful portrayal of artistic self-discovery and societal critique.