Stephen Dedalus: Religion

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Chapter One, Stephen's
individualism and lack of tolerance for disrespect become evident when he
complains to the rector about the actions of Father Dolan. His confused
attitude is clearly displayed by the end of the chapter when he says, "He was
happy and free: but he would not be anyway proud with Father Dolan. He would be
very kind and obedient: and he wished that he could do something kind for him to
show him that he was not proud." Stephen still has respect for his priests, but
he has lost his blind sense of acceptance.
As Stephen grows, he slowly but inexorably distances himself from
religion. His life becomes one concerned with pleasing his friends and family.
However, as he matures he begins to feel lost and hopeless, stating, "He saw
clearly too his own futile isolation. He had not gone one step nearer the lives
he had sought to approach nor bridged the restless shame and rancor that divided
him from mother and brother and sister." It is this very sense of ...

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