Softcover

ISBN 10: 0393926796 ISBN 13: 9780393926798

Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company, 2007

A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man is one of the twentieth century’s great coming-of-age novels.

This Norton Critical Edition is based on Hans Gabler’s acclaimed text and is accompanied by his introduction and textual notes. John Paul Riquelme provides detailed explanatory annotations. “Backgrounds and Contexts” is thematically organized to provide readers with a clear picture of the novel’s historical, cultural, and literary inspirations. Topics include “Political Nationalism: Irish History, 1798-1916,” “The Irish Literary and Cultural Revival,” “Religion,” and “Aesthetic Backgrounds.” “Criticism” begins with John Paul Riquelme’s helpful essay on the novel’s structural form and follows with twelve diverse interpretations by, among others, Kenneth Burke, Umberto Eco, Hugh Kenner, Maud Ellmann, Joseph Valente, and Marian Eide. A Selected Bibliography is also included.

From the Publisher:

Perhaps Joyce's most personal work, A Portrait Of The Artist As A Young Man depicts the intellectual awakening of one of literature's most memorable young heroes, Stephen Dedalus. Through a series of brilliant epiphanies that parallel the development of his own aesthetic consciousness, Joyce evokes Stephen's youth, from his impressionable years as the youngest student at the Clongowed Wood school to the deep religious conflict he experiences at a day school in Dublin, and finally to his college studies where he challenges the conventions of his upbringing and his understanding of faith and intellectual freedom. James Joyce's highly autobiographical novel was first published in the United States in 1916 to immediate acclaim. Ezra Pound accurately predicted that Joyce's book would "remain a permanent part of English literature," while H.G. Wells dubbed it "by far the most important living and convincing picture that exists of an Irish Catholic upbringing." A remarkably rich study of a developing young mind, A Portrait Of The Artist As A Young Man made an indelible mark on literature and confirmed Joyce's reputation as one of the world's greatest and lasting writers.

From the Back Cover:

REA’s MAXnotes is an insightful series of literature study guides covering over 80 of the most popular literary works.

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Our MAXnotes for James Joyce’s A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man study guide includes an overall summary, character lists, explanation and discussion of the plot, overview of the work’s historical context, and a biography of the author. Each section of the work is individually summarized and includes study questions and answers.

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