Friday, July 19, 2019
Stephen Dedalus Perception of Aesthetics in James Joyceââ¬â¢s novel A Port
Aesthetics is the philosophy of art. By appreciating the value of aesthetics, one can comprehend the meaning of the abstract notion of beauty. In James Joyceââ¬â¢s novel, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Stephen Dedalusââ¬â¢ perception of aesthetics is a key component in the main characterââ¬â¢s pursuit of individuality and purpose. Through the use of literary techniques such as diction and tone, Joyce conveys the protagonistââ¬â¢s aesthetic development. This artistic growth, paralleled throughout the novelââ¬â¢s external structure with Dedalusââ¬â¢ coming of age, illustrates the life, purpose and aesthetic ambition of an artist: ââ¬Å"To discover the mode of life or of art whereby the spirit can express itself in unfettered freedomâ⬠(Joyce 231). Stephenââ¬â¢s early childhood, depicted in chapter one, exposes the protagonistââ¬â¢s understanding of art through his naà ¯ve tone and childlike diction. In this stage of his development, the protagonistââ¬â¢s perception of aesthetics is defined according to what is nice. Also, the interesting use of the rhythmic and phonetic quality of words, along with the integration of verse, contributes to his infantile definition of the nature of art and beauty. The opening of the chapter demonstrates this wordplay through the childish story of the baby tuckoo and the moocow. Furthermore, Dedalus is shown to have an innate comprehension of art: ââ¬Å"He wanted to cry quietly but not for himself: for the words, so beautiful and sad, like musicâ⬠(Joyce 18). As Stephen becomes aware of his surroundings, his perception of art begins to change. In chapter two, the protagonistââ¬â¢s eager tone leads him to develop a different understanding of the qualities of art. The author makes a literary allusion to Alexander Dumasââ¬â¢ The Count of Monte Cr... ...nd pursuit of purpose. The different visions of aesthetics, particular to each stage of his life, define his character development and the authorââ¬â¢s portrayal of his artistic destiny. Following the ââ¬Å"bildungsromanâ⬠style, Dedalus attains maturity through his conception of the value of art. His treatise on aesthetics leads him to conclude that in order to gain the necessary claritas, or clearness of mind for his artistic endeavors, he must voluntarily severe all bonds of faith, family and country. Only through this exile can the artist gain the unfettered freedom necessary for the production of life out of life and the fulfillment of art with the sole purpose of aesthetic accomplishment. Whether itââ¬â¢s art for artââ¬â¢s sake, or for any other purpose, as long as it complies with the parameters of aesthetic fulfillment and spiritual freedom, art will undoubtedly be beautiful.
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