AN ANALYSIS OF CONFLICTS FOUND IN JAMES JOYCE’S NOVEL “A PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST AS A YOUNG MAN”

This research explores the various types of conflicts experienced by the main character, Stephen Dedalus, in James Joyce's A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. Using a qualitative method and an objective approach, the study analyzes physical, social, and psychological conflicts depicted in chapters 1 to 3. The findings reveal that although physical and social conflicts influence Stephen’s external experiences—such as punishment, illness, and social alienation—the psychological conflicts dominate the narrative. These include his struggles with guilt, shame, identity crises, and religious anxiety, which are pivotal to his development as an artist and individual. Furthermore, this study highlights how Joyce’s specific diction—such as “beaten,” “confess,” “afraid,” and “madman”—plays a crucial role in determining the intensity and nature of each conflict type. The choice of words not only conveys emotional weight but also signals whether a conflict is physical, social, or psychological. This analysis provides readers with a deeper understanding of how language, conflict, and character growth are intricately connected in Joyce’s work.