Joyce/ Portrait - Discussion Thread

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Originally Posted by subterranean

Yes, I noticed that Joyce didn't mentioned any of the lad's schoo mates who experienced the same anxiety. It seems that it's just he's alone who has that kind of point of view about sins and punishments

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I think I disagree with this, I don't believe he was the only one with that point of view on sinning and religion. I believe that it just wasn't talked about amongst your peers. That happens all the time with teenagers (at least from what I remember) you think your the only one with a problems but then years later you find out everbody had the same problem.

I agree with the tone of the book, light and airy when he was young, then dark when he was a teen listening to his teachers and priests, and finally I believe he's starting to think for himself and realizes that the preists might not always be right and it becomes lighter again.

That's the thing Papay, at first I also thought like that. But then I figured, why Joyce didn't even mentioned at all that such thing wasn't something that you talked about among peers. I mean Joyce didn't even mentioned that Stephen had a little hope that he wished he could share his religious burden.

sorry guys, haven't felt like reading the book in a while so im still on chapter one :blush:

Oh...shame on you Jester :D :D :smash:

Whooo Hooo!!!! I finished this infernal book last night!!! Sheesh what a read.

So jealous!! I still have another 20 pages to go :rolleyes:

I'm not understanding the point of the last couple of pages where he's arguing with his friends? Not to mention the part were it's like he's writing in a journal?

His artistic discussions with his friends?? I was thinking about that as well... And wondered they are simply there to show that he has moved on... He is not worried about religion anymore and he is concentrating more on aesthetic side of life.

That could be, but did it have to be sooo long?

Sorry guys, I too, have dropped the ball on this one. I am stuck in a little religious rut with Chapter 3. And there are other things that are grabbing my attention...

hey.... i got three weeks of absolutly nothing to do if i dont get a job over christmas which leaves reading... lots and lots of reading... ill get this one done by the end of the month, i hope

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Originally Posted by papayahed

I'm not understanding the point of the last couple of pages where he's arguing with his friends? Not to mention the part were it's like he's writing in a journal?

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So Papay, what's the main point of the entire book?

I dunno, my best guess is that it's a "coming of age" book.

Just finished the book (literally, 5 minutes ago) and some questions floating in my mind:
1. He is doesn't mind learning and speaking in Latin in his daily life but refuses speak/learn Irish?
2. Why all the references to the birds in the last pages?
3. Is he an Othello on the make with all his suspicions?
4. The diary signifies that he is finally 'in peace' and honest and open with himself?
5. You can take the man out of religion but you cannot take the religion out of man?(re.his reference to the girl as a pure one - will find the passage for this one)

I have not thought about these questions myself yet... Maybe they are very obvious but just wanted to post them as an immediate reaction when I finished the book, wondering what you all think...

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Originally Posted by Scheherazade

Just finished the book (literally, 5 minutes ago) and some questions floating in my mind:
1. He is doesn't mind learning and speaking in Latin in his daily life but refuses speak/learn Irish?

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I think Latin was part of the school curriculum, he didn't have a choice. As for refusing to speak Irish I would guess that he didn't want to be associated with any group.