A Portrait Of The Artist As A Young Man

How has the progression of society and civilization been both a detriment and benefit to humankind?


In A Portrait Of The Artist As A Young Man, by James Joyce, Stephen Dedalus, the protagonist, recalls his experience in Catholic school as a teenager, a fictionalized autobiography of Joyce's life. Stephen struggles between being extremely devoted to his religion and being completely indifferent to the practices of his religion. He goes through a stage of great sinning followed by a stage of deep devotion to Catholicism, ultimately, though, ending up disregarding religion all together in order to focus on art. Stephen chooses to leave the church in order to follow his artistic passions. At this point in time, the people representing Irish Catholicism are not accepting of Stephen's decision to ignore his religious duties in order to seek out his artistic talents. However, in centuries previous to the time in which the novel takes place, Stephen would not just have people turn their backs on his decision. In earlier times, if a person were to leave the Catholic church they could pay the price with their life. As society progresses, it becomes more and more accommodating to people's independence. Today, people have many different religious options, some even opting not to partake in a religion. In the way, the progression of society has wholly benefitted humankind to accept and embrace  individuality in regards to religion which poses stark contrast to the homogenous societal expectations of several centuries ago. Stephen's choice to follow his artistic calling may not have been wholly accepted by all, but it was still up to him to decide.