A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce.
Stephen Dedalus
major
Also known as Stephen, Dedalus, young Dedalus, John Stephen Dedalus, The Reverend Stephen Dedalus
The protagonist and focal character, a young Irish artist and intellectual.
Cranly
supporting
Also known as Mr. Cranly
Stephen's close friend and confidant at university, often engaged in philosophical debate.
Simon Dedalus
supporting
Also known as Mr. Dedalus, Simon
Stephen's father, a witty and financially struggling Irishman.
Dante Riordan
supporting
Also known as Dante, Mrs. Riordan
The Dedalus family's devout and fiery governess.
Cranly
supporting
Stephen's university friend and intellectual sparring partner.
Father Arnall
supporting
A Jesuit priest who delivers a terrifying retreat sermon on hell.
Emma
supporting
A girl Stephen idealizes and later encounters in his youth.
Lynch
minor
A cynical friend of Stephen at university.
Fonsy Davin
minor
Also known as Davin
A fellow student and friend of Stephen, a nationalist.
Temple
minor
An eccentric and outspoken student at the university.
MacCann
minor
A politically active student who debates Stephen.
Moynihan
minor
A student at the university, often in Stephen's circle.
Dixon
minor
A student at the university, a friend of Stephen.
Glynn
minor
A student at the university.
Donovan
minor
A student at the university.
Mrs. Dedalus
minor
Stephen's mother, a devout Catholic and caring parent.
Uncle Charles
minor
Also known as Charles
Stephen's great-uncle, an elderly and kindly relative.
Mr. Casey
minor
A friend of the Dedalus family, involved in political arguments.
Father Dolan
minor
Also known as Baldyhead Dolan
A strict Jesuit prefect who unjustly pandies Stephen.
Wells
minor
A bully at Clongowes Wood School who torments Stephen.
Athy
minor
A boy at Clongowes who befriends Stephen briefly.
Fleming
minor
A classmate of Stephen at Clongowes.
Rody Kickham
minor
A boy at Clongowes, a friend of Stephen.
Nasty Roche
minor
A boy at Clongowes known for his unpleasantness.
Jack Lawton
minor
Also known as Johnny
A classmate of Stephen at Clongowes.
Simon Moonan
minor
Also known as Moonan
A boy at Clongowes, involved in the square-ditching incident.
Corrigan
minor
Also known as big Corrigan
A larger boy at Clongowes.
Brother Michael
minor
Also known as Michael
A kindly lay brother at Clongowes who tends to sick boys.
Vincent Heron
minor
Also known as Heron
A rival student at Belvedere College who taunts Stephen.
Boland
minor
A student at Belvedere College.
Cecil Thunder
minor
Also known as Thunder
A student at Belvedere College.
Tusker Boyle
minor
Also known as Boyle
A student at Belvedere College.
Mr. Tate
minor
An English teacher at Belvedere College.
Mr. Gleeson
minor
Also known as Gleeson
A prefect at Belvedere College.
Mike Flynn
minor
A trainer who coaches Stephen in running.
Aubrey Mills
minor
Also known as Aubrey
A childhood friend of Stephen in Blackrock.
Eileen
minor
A childhood neighbor and early crush of Stephen.
The Vances
minor
Neighbors of the Dedalus family in Stephen's childhood.
Dante Alighieri
minor
Historical poet referenced; not a character in the narrative.
Charles Stewart Parnell
minor
Also known as Parnell
Irish political leader; his death is discussed by the family.
Cardinal Newman
minor
Also known as Newman
Religious figure referenced in Stephen's intellectual musings.
Lord Byron
minor
Also known as Byron
Romantic poet admired by Stephen, causing a school dispute.
Percy Bysshe Shelley
minor
Also known as Shelley
Poet referenced in Stephen's aesthetic theories.
Aristotle
minor
Also known as Aquinas
Philosopher referenced in Stephen's intellectual development.
Saint Thomas Aquinas
minor
Also known as Aquinas, Thomas
Theologian whose aesthetic ideas influence Stephen.
Saint Francis Xavier
minor
Also known as Francis Xavier
Saint invoked in prayers and retreat sermons.
Saint Ignatius Loyola
minor
Also known as Ignatius
Founder of the Jesuits, referenced in spiritual context.
Saint Augustine
minor
Also known as Augustine
Church father referenced in Stephen's religious reflections.
Saint Catherine of Siena
minor
Saint mentioned in religious context.
Lucifer
minor
Satan, referenced in sermons and Stephen's imagination.
Eve
minor
Biblical figure referenced in religious imagery.
Adam
minor
Biblical figure referenced in religious imagery.
Mercedes
minor
A romantic figure from Stephen's youthful fantasy.
Rosie O'Grady
minor
Also known as sweet Rosie O'Grady
A prostitute Stephen encounters in Dublin.
Johnny Cashman
minor
Also known as Johnny
A local man encountered by Stephen in Cork.
Mick Lacy
minor
Also known as Poor Mick Lacy
A man mentioned in Cork during Stephen's trip.
John Alphonsus Mulrennan
minor
Also known as Mulrennan
An Irish writer referenced by Stephen.
Michael Robartes
minor
A figure from Yeats's poetry, referenced by Stephen.
Bruno the Nolan
minor
Also known as Bruno
Philosopher referenced in Stephen's intellectual discussions.
Victor Hugo
minor
French author referenced in literary discussions.
Alfred Lord Tennyson
minor
Also known as Tennyson
Poet referenced in Stephen's reading.
Napoleon Bonaparte
minor
Also known as Napoleon
Historical figure referenced in political discussions.
Cardinal Wolsey
minor
Also known as Wolsey
Historical figure referenced in a school lesson.
Sir Walter Scott
minor
Also known as old Scott
Author referenced in Stephen's childhood reading.
Peter Parley
minor
Fictional author of children's books Stephen reads.
Baldwin
minor
Also known as Baldwin the First
Historical figure referenced in a school lesson.
John Anthony Collins
minor
Also known as Collins
Philosopher referenced in Stephen's reading.
Gonzaga
minor
A student at the university, possibly a surname.
MacAlister
minor
A student at the university.
Wallis
minor
A student at the university.
Ennis
minor
A student at the university.
Cantwell
minor
A student at the university.
Goggins
minor
A student at the university.
Doyle
minor
A student at the university.
O'Keeffe
minor
A student at the university.
Mr. McGlade
minor
Also known as McGlade
A teacher at Belvedere College.
Billy
minor
Also known as Willie
A boy at Clongowes, possibly a friend of Stephen.
Bertie Tallon
minor
Also known as Bertie
A boy at Clongowes.
Doherty
minor
A student at the university.
Nash
minor
A student at the university.
Mat Davin
minor
Also known as Davin
A student at the university, possibly related to Fonsy.
Maurice Moriarty
minor
Also known as Maurice
A student at the university.
