Written by James Joyce, a novelist and poet of Irish origin, the novel is written mainly as told from a third-person point of view with conversations between the characters upto the final chapter. The novel goes along three phases of the author namely Chapter 1 is based on Clongowes Wood College, Chapter 2-4 is along life at Belvedere College and the final chapter 5 is oriented along the University College, Dublin.
The main Characters in the novel are Stephen Dedalus, Simon Dedalus, Mary Dedalus, Uncle Charles, Aunt Dante, Emma Clere, Charles Stewart Parnell, Cranly.
The author has created an alter ego in the name of Stephen Dedalus. His surname is taken from the ancient Greek mythical figure Dedalus, who also engaged in a struggle for autonomy.
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An aging old man with well-tanned skin, rugged features and white side whiskers, He likes to spend mornings walking with young Stephen, visiting the vendors around and picking up items for Stephen.
Aunt Dante who’s real name is Mrs. Riordan, is not an aunt by blood or by marriage. The lady is depicted to be well read, clever and over enthusiastic about the Irish upbringing of the children in the Dedalus family and their values of "God and religion before everything!" Aunt Dante's firm religious beliefs also clash strongly with Mr. Casey's opinions regarding Charles Stewart Parnell based on political issues. Her criticism of Parnell, as told to Simon and Mr. Casey caused both men upset over the fate of their fallen leader and the future of their loved country.
Emma, the young girl is shown as to whom he is deeply attracted over the course of many years. He also depicts Emma as an ideal of feminist beauty although he does not know her well.
Stephen’s best buddy,Cranly is the closest person at university with whom he shares his thoughts and feelings. It is Cranly who begins to encourage Stephen to accept the wishes of his family and to try harder to fit in. This advice is what Stephen does not approve of. He also is shown as the witness to Stephen's description of his aesthetic
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Here he is invited for the first time to sit with the adults at the dinner table.This is depicting his introduction into the mature and more approved class of the people by age difference. But this happy occasion is interrupted by a heated argument between Dante Riordan, and a guest, Mr. Casey. It is a political issue and thus leaves Stephen confused about the issues of religion and politics in the adult world.
When he returns to school, Stephen accidentally breaks his reading glasses and is unable to complete his class work. Because of which he is roughly humiliated and punished by the prefect in-charge of studies. He lands up receiving encouragement from a friend following which Stephen bravely and also a little fearfully seeks justice by going to the rector of the school. This newfound success makes him a healthy and self-confident person to be and also makes him seem a noble person at the moment among his