A portrait of the artist as a young man (1916) is called James Joyce's autobiographical novel that traces the life story of a young man Stephen Dedalus (Joyce) how he has been developed from 'creature' to 'creator'. The intellectual, moral and artistic development from childhood to the end of education at university is elaborated in an enticing style. Stephen's individuality is restrained by several levels of conventions like family, religion and country but he emancipated himself from all the chains and finally resolves to quit Ireland for Paris in order to face 'the reality of experience' and to penetrate 'the uncreated conscience' of his race.