A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man is filled with many themes, symbols, and motifs, some of which are obvious from the first glance and some less apparent. One recurring motif within the novel is music. Music, specifically singing, is hinted to numerous times throughout the novel. From the very beginning, music seems to play a vital role in Stephen's life and journey to becoming an artist. Perhaps because music is not Stephen's main artistic endeavor it is often pushed to the side, but nevertheless it manages to make its presence known.
The very first page of the book brings music to the foreground:
He sang that song. That was his song.
O, the geen wothe botheth …
Tralala lala
Tralala tralaladdy
Tralala lala
Tralala lala. (5)
Stephen's love and appreciation for music seems to be a result of his love for the sound of language and words. Whenever we see Stephen singing he seems to be connecting to the sounds of the words and rhymes that he creates; in addition, he is also very receptive of musical cues. At another point in the first chapter, after Stephen is scolded by Dante for liking a protestant girl, he turns the threats into music, "Pull out his eyes,/apologise,/apolgise,/pull out his eyes. (6)" Music seems to be used as a way to comfort himself, by listening to the sounds of the words he can combat the fear of, for example, having his eyes pulled out.
Furthermore, we know that Stephen is a singer, as he is asked to perform several times throughout the novel. But again, this doesn't appear to be an integral part of his identity as it is only touched upon lightly. A more obvious aspect of music in the novel is how Stephen often relates to language in terms of music and rhythm. He uses musical terminology, such as referring to phrases making up "chords" with words.
Another point in the novel where music comes in, is in Chapter four when Stephen is about to leave the director of Belvedere College's office, after he is asked to become a priest. For Stephen the music "passed in an instant . . . over the fantastic fabrics of his mind, dissolving them painlessly and noiselessly as a sudden wave dissolves the sandbuilt turrets of children" (p. 140). The priest, however, exhibits a "mirthless" response to this unexpected burst of music, allowing Stephen to come to the realization that he could never become a priest. In the same chapter, Stephen gets excited about the new adventures to come in attending University College and being able to discover his true identity. He envisions this new endeavor in terms of music: "It seemed to him that he heard notes of fitful music leaping upwards a tone and downwards a diminished fourth, upwards a tone and downwards a major third, like triple-branching flames leaping fitfully, flame after flame, out of a midnight wood. (p. 144)" In these two instances music seems to be a vehicle into the depths of his being, by guiding his decisions and embodying his thoughts.
Overall music seems to play a vital role in the development of the novel, and development of Stephen as an artist. While music is not Stephen's key art form, it certainly helps him discover his writing and poetic side. Poetry is often linked with music and perhaps that is why a novel about a writer/poet is infused with so much music and musical connotations.
Follow these links to actually hear some of the music referenced in the novel! Brigid's Song, Oft in the Stilly Night, Sweet Rosie O' Grady (each one explains where in the novel these songs come up).
Where else do you find music playing a vital role in the novel? Do you think there could have been less of an emphasis on music, more on writing and poetry?
As I came to the end of your post, I couldn't help but make a comparison between Stephen (Joyce) and Gertrude Stein. You mentioned how music played a role in the novel and in Stephen's development as an artist. While we obviously know he was a writer/poet, music seems to have been another artistic outlet that Stephen often drew from.
ReplyDeleteSimilarly, we mentioned in class today that while Gertrude Stein was also a writer, she had a deep appreciation for art. Not only did she collect numerous paintings and form personal relationships with many artists of her time, but she also borrowed from an art form (cubism) and expanded it to language.
Both of these writers had an appreciation for other art forms, and these additional interests are clearly apparent in their works.
Exactly! It seems as though, those who fall into the 'artist type' category both recognize and appreciate art forms other than their own, as you showed with Stein. Being artistic comes along with a certain sensitivity and keen appreciation for beauty (in all art forms) because of an artist's highly developed senses. Perhaps this is is why the novel is entitled A Portrait of the 'ARTIST,' and not of the 'Writer' because Stephen is not merely a writer, but an artist who extracts beauty and meaning from other art forms - such as music.
ReplyDelete**(http://www.james-joyce-music.com mentions the relevant word choice of Artist in the title)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link and good point about "Portrait of the ARTIST"
ReplyDeleteThat is a good point about Stephen's being called the artist, rather than the writer. Stephen definitely depicts the 'artist' type consistently throughout the novel, whether his art form is poetry, music or prose. As you pointed out, Stephen's first conncection with an art form was his contact with music, perhaps making this his most natural inclination.
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