James Joyce's The Portrait Of the Artist As a Young Man- characters

Stephen Dedalus

The artist of the novel’s title. His artistic development from infancy to a young adulthood is traced in the novel. He is the early twentieth century image of the artist alone, isolated from his fellows, ironic, searching for freedom from conventional social constraints and yet longing for oneness.

Mrs. Mary Dedalus

Stephen’s mother who is a devout Catholic. He thinks of her as sweet in his early years at Clongowes. She does not take any sides in political discussions, but tries to stop them. She is depicted at the novel’s end as an ineffectual, complaining, guilt-inducing mother.

Mr. Simon Dedalus

Stephen’s father. He loses countless jobs and spends his time boasting about his past. He helps get Stephen into good schools by virtue of his powers of persuasion, but seems disappointed in his eldest son.

Uncle Charles

Stephen’s great uncle on his father’s side. He is present only in the first and second chapters that depict Stephen’s childhood. He spends a good deal of time with the young Stephen.