Stephen Vandalus Isolation

Stephen Dedalus is a character who separates himself from his peers, family, and his surroundings. A sensitive introvert, he protects himself from communion with others through his superiority. He regards others with contempt, pity and weary indifference (Tindall 55.). Whether his isolation is intentional or a subconscious product of his complex personality, Stephen continues his isolation, and as he ages it evolves along with him. As Stephen grows he rebels against his surroundings and isolates himself in his schoolwork, family, religion, and eventually his art. Throughout his life, Stephen is consistent in his inability to align himself with his peers. As a child, there are several instances when Stephen is rejected. For example, Stephen

The school introduces Stephen to a life of injustice, cruelty, and isolation. The difficulties he faced at Clongowes show him that his troubles can be escaped, but only through his short-lived personal victories. All of the feelings of homesickness, inadequacy, and overall alienation overwhelm Stephen to the point where he actually becomes physically ill. Stephen’s body, in the first two chapters of the novel, is a weakness, -fever, poor sight- repeatedly undermines his attempts to comprehend and participate in the systems that surround him. These physical weaknesses caused Stephen to feel isolated because of his inability to participate. To Stephen, eventually physical experiences for Stephen becomes linked with humiliation. Also, physical actions for Stephen remind him of his social displacement (Webb 89.). As a result of feeling unable to participate, Stephen becomes more of an observer to avoid possible

This causes him to reject his schoolmates and withdraw himself within his family. However, it is also noticeable that Stephen lacks any real connection or understanding with his father (Foley, Web). In summary, the relationship between father and son is increasingly bitter and tense. After returning to school, Stephen realizes that he failed to establish communication with his father, and the other members of his family. However, he becomes more aware of the huge intellectual gap between him and his family. Destroyed hopes of stability stem from his father’s debts. After being forced to move, Stephen develops a growing desire to free himself, from the hopelessness and poverty of his family (Foley, Web). For Stephen, his family is the epitome of failure and infinite