Introduction- Working Thesis:–Part A: In James Joyce’s The Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, the VirginMary is portrayed as a regal figure within Stephen’s mind to demonstrate how thejuxtaposition of purity and corruption result in spiritual discourse. By presentingMary as an unattainable archetype, the average sinner is inherently lesser thandespite the indiscriminate comfort she brings.Part B: The essay will focus on the elaborate language that Stephen uses todescribe the Virgin Mary that emphasizes her unattainability and the pedestalshe is placed upon.- Use of the senses to highlight the spread and permeance ofcorruption/sin and how past transgressions linger- How Stephen’s position within the prefecture still keeps him at a distancefrom the Virgin Mary despite being having influence and a deeperconnection to the church- Part C: The significance of the Virgin Mary within a broader understanding is thatwhile she provides solace, she cannot be relied upon within the individual journey
