Throughout Joyce's novel, the primary character Stephen, is thoroughly confused about the notion of truth and the novel comprises his journey from one extreme to another in an attempt to discover truth. As Stephen's perception of truth constantly changes, so does his view, attitude toward, and actions of love. Growing up in a strict Catholic environment, he is surrounded with religion, laws, structure, and tradition as his truth. This truth surpresses him while also not being accepting of his struggles. The Catholic church often speaks of love to Stephen but does not act out that love. In Stephen's friendships with boys his own age or his relations with his priests and authoritative figures, Stephen does not know how to act socially or how to love. Instead, he contains all of himself and internally struggles through life problems and struggles of his soul. The truth he perceives in this world is fear: fear of authority, fear of others' disapproval, fear of sin, fear of hell, fear of God. Thus he does not know how to love and distances himself in such a way that he does not need to accept of provide love. This lifestyle without love can be lonely and empty. Stephen realizes he lacks a vital part of himself yet is at a loss to what it is. He takes the suppresion of his emotions and destructably funnels them towards one concept of love: passion and lust. Immersed in this new perception of truth, his acts of love consume him, body and soul. This continual search for truth and from that love, leaves Stephen with a tormented soul. For Stephen, truth and love are directly connected. His foggy understanding and lasting confusion as to the essence of truth and what it means in his life disables him in his ability to love himself or others.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
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