Stephen Dedalus Perception of Aesthetics in James Joyce’s novel A Port

Aesthetics is the philosophy of art. By appreciating the value of esthetics, one outhouse comprehend the meaning of the abstract notion of beauty. In James Joyces novel, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Stephen Dedalus perception of aesthetics is a key component in the main characters pursuit of individuality and purpose. Through the use of literary techniques such as vocabulary and tone, Joyce conveys the assistants aesthetic development. This artistic growth, paralleled throughout the novels external structure with Dedalus coming of age, illustrates the life, purpose and aesthetic ambition of an artist To relegate the mode of life or of art whereby the spirit can express itself in untied freedom (Joyce 231). Stephens early childhood, depicted in chapter one, exposes the protagonists understanding of art through his nave tone and child like diction. In this stage of his development, the protagonists perception of aesthetics is defined check 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 adolescent story of the baby tuckoo and the moocow. Furthermore, Dedalus is shown to have an innate comprehension of art He wanted to cry quietly but not for himself for the words, so beautiful and sad, like music (Joyce 18).As Stephen becomes aware of his surroundings, his perception of art begins to change. In chapter two, the protagonists eager tone leads him to develop a different understanding of the qualities of art. The antecedent makes a literary allusion to Alexander Dumas 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 authors portrayal of his artistic destiny. Following the bildungsroman style, Dedalus attains maturit y 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 its art for arts 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.