The key elements of a portrait of the artist as a young man James Joyce's A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man offers an introspective exploration of a Catholic Irish education. To provide the reader with a correct interpretation, Joyce imbues the story with vivid imagery and a variety of linguistic devices. This article will provide an in-depth analysis of the work by examining its key elements. The central theme of Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man is Stephen Dedalus' alienation and separation from his trinity of family, homeland, and religion. Stephen's separation from his family is evident when he literally runs away from his father "walking quickly lest his father's shrill whistle should call him back." Stephen's separation from his clique is demonstrated by his adoration of the poet Byron, whom his schoolmates (Boland and Heron) consider "heretical and immoral". Boland and Heron then proceed to attack Stephen with "a fury of diving" which leaves Stephen "half-blinded with tears". Other violent disagreements with his peers can be found when while attending Clongowes Wood College he is pushed into a ditch by Wells (a class bully) and develops a fever. The illness causes Stephen's desire to "go home." The theme of Stephen Dedalus' alienation from his religion is evident in his connection to the church. The Dedalus family lives staunchly Catholic lives and expect Stephen to share their beliefs. Stephen directly questions the authority of the Church when he asks: "Is baptism with mineral water valid? Why is it that while the first beatitude promises the kingdom of heaven to the poor of heart, the second beatitude also promises the meek that they will possess the earth ? Because the sacram...... in the center of the card ......foreshadowing the importance, can be found in the fact that the story begins with a flashback to when Stephen was a very young child the narration of his life continues, flashbacks are implanted. A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce is a well-written exposition of the Irish Catholic life of an artist Stephen Dedalus, sadly connected to the mythical Deadalus, who becomes independent of his family, religion and nation . To adequately illustrate his life, real Irish dialect is used and intense images are presented, thus creating an introspective analysis of an artist. Works cited and consulted Bloom, Harold Modern Critical Interpretations: James Joyce's A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man . New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1988. Joyce, James. A portrait of the artist as a young man. New York: New American Library, 1991