James Joyce uses many literary motifs to illustrate and emphasize the progress of Stephens religious journey in this novel.

Authors Avatar

        Chapter or Part 3, begins with Stephen becoming very obsessed and is discovering his “darker” side. Starting of with “lust”, Stephen’s mind is clouded by other “deadly desires”. Being brought up to be a faithful Christian, this betrayal to his own faith leaves Stephen in a state of moral confusion and paralysis, due to the fear that by committing the sin of impurity, Stephen has actually triggered a chain of other sins. The most consistent topic in this chapter is God, religion, angels, Hell and demon – the afterworld mainly because, Stephen fears not being able to enter heaven on judgment day, and getting stuck in hell. Throughout the chapter, Stephen’s inner torment causes him many difficulties.  Joyce utilizes …… to emphasize the control and power that God, Satan, demons and religion possess over Stephen’s life.

Join now!

 

        My first passage is that on (on Page 121, second paragraph – starting at “Nor was that all”). This passage is a continuation to Stephen’s train of thought of his future after death. Convinced he would go to hell for his sins, this passage describes Stephen’s perception of God and his power, as God travels from the heavens to banish him to hell. There is an immediate change from the paragraph before to this one, as the sentences are short and staccato like (Nor was that all, the last day had come, doomsday was at hand.), which catch ...

This is a preview of the whole essay