James Joyce explores the world of beauty and art within the development of the artist in the novel A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. Initially, this character development, confined not to one man, but paralleling the development of the (as opposed to a)artist appears somewhat straightforward, with a inner conflict with morality and purpose. However, Stephen’s quest emobdies contradiction.
"White roses and red roses: those were beautiful colours to think of. And the cards for the first and second place and third place were beautiful colours too: pink and cream and lavender. Lavender and cream and pink roses were beautiful to think of. Perhaps a wild rose might be like those colours and he remembered the song about the wild rose blossoms on the little green place. But you could not have a green rose. But perhaps somewhere in the world you could."
Joyce’s writing style begins simply, utilizing extremity to further propogate Stephan’s youth. As the character develops, so does the writing style. The most significant change with the physical written word occurs withing the concepts. The story begins to sing of contradiction and possibility and throughout a thread of truth is carried. Perhaps Joyce purposes the lack of truth in an absolute in everything but purpose. Stephan’s purpose is undeniable, his will consistent. And the development of his purpose, as opposed to the work he produces, proves important.
