# A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man — Character guide

> Key figures in A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce.

- [Stephen Dedalus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/stephen_dedalus.md): The protagonist and focal character, a young Irish artist and intellectual.
- [Cranly](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/cranly.md): Stephen's close friend and confidant at university, often engaged in philosophical debate.
- [Simon Dedalus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/simon_dedalus.md): Stephen's father, a witty and financially struggling Irishman.
- [Dante Riordan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/dante_riordan.md): The Dedalus family's devout and fiery governess.
- [Cranly](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/cranly_friend.md): Stephen's university friend and intellectual sparring partner.
- [Father Arnall](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/father_arnall.md): A Jesuit priest who delivers a terrifying retreat sermon on hell.
- [Emma](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/emma.md): A girl Stephen idealizes and later encounters in his youth.
- [Lynch](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/lynch.md): A cynical friend of Stephen at university.
- [Fonsy Davin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/davin.md): A fellow student and friend of Stephen, a nationalist.
- [Temple](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/temple.md): An eccentric and outspoken student at the university.
- [MacCann](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/mccann.md): A politically active student who debates Stephen.
- [Moynihan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/moynihan.md): A student at the university, often in Stephen's circle.
- [Dixon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/dixon.md): A student at the university, a friend of Stephen.
- [Mrs. Dedalus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/mrs_dedalus.md): Stephen's mother, a devout Catholic and caring parent.
- [Uncle Charles](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/uncle_charles.md): Stephen's great-uncle, an elderly and kindly relative.
- [Mr. Casey](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/mr_casey.md): A friend of the Dedalus family, involved in political arguments.
- [Father Dolan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/father_dolan.md): A strict Jesuit prefect who unjustly pandies Stephen.
- [Wells](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/wells.md): A bully at Clongowes Wood School who torments Stephen.
- [Athy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/athy.md): A boy at Clongowes who befriends Stephen briefly.
- [Rody Kickham](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/rody_kickham.md): A boy at Clongowes, a friend of Stephen.
- [Nasty Roche](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/nasty_roche.md): A boy at Clongowes known for his unpleasantness.
- [Simon Moonan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/simon_moonan.md): A boy at Clongowes, involved in the square-ditching incident.
- [Brother Michael](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/brother_michael.md): A kindly lay brother at Clongowes who tends to sick boys.
- [Vincent Heron](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/heron.md): A rival student at Belvedere College who taunts Stephen.
- [Mr. Tate](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/mr_tate.md): An English teacher at Belvedere College.
- [Mike Flynn](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/mike_flynn.md): A trainer who coaches Stephen in running.
- [Aubrey Mills](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/aubrey_mills.md): A childhood friend of Stephen in Blackrock.
- [Eileen](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/eileen.md): A childhood neighbor and early crush of Stephen.
- [The Vances](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/the_vances.md): Neighbors of the Dedalus family in Stephen's childhood.
- [Dante Alighieri](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/dante_alighieri.md): Historical poet referenced; not a character in the narrative.
- [Charles Stewart Parnell](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/parnell.md): Irish political leader; his death is discussed by the family.
- [Cardinal Newman](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/cardinal_newman.md): Religious figure referenced in Stephen's intellectual musings.
- [Lord Byron](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/lord_byron.md): Romantic poet admired by Stephen, causing a school dispute.
- [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/shelley.md): Poet referenced in Stephen's aesthetic theories.
- [Aristotle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/aristotle.md): Philosopher referenced in Stephen's intellectual development.
- [Saint Thomas Aquinas](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/saint_thomas_aquinas.md): Theologian whose aesthetic ideas influence Stephen.
- [Saint Francis Xavier](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/saint_francis_xavier.md): Saint invoked in prayers and retreat sermons.
- [Saint Ignatius Loyola](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/saint_ignatius_loyola.md): Founder of the Jesuits, referenced in spiritual context.
- [Saint Augustine](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/saint_augustine.md): Church father referenced in Stephen's religious reflections.
- [Lucifer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/lucifer.md): Satan, referenced in sermons and Stephen's imagination.
- [Eve](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/eve.md): Biblical figure referenced in religious imagery.
- [Adam](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/adam.md): Biblical figure referenced in religious imagery.
- [Mercedes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/mercedes.md): A romantic figure from Stephen's youthful fantasy.
- [Rosie O'Grady](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/rosie_ogrady.md): A prostitute Stephen encounters in Dublin.
- [Johnny Cashman](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/johnny_cashman.md): A local man encountered by Stephen in Cork.
- [Mick Lacy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/mick_lacy.md): A man mentioned in Cork during Stephen's trip.
- [Michael Robartes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/michael_robartes.md): A figure from Yeats's poetry, referenced by Stephen.
- [Bruno the Nolan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/bruno_the_nolan.md): Philosopher referenced in Stephen's intellectual discussions.
- [Victor Hugo](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/victor_hugo.md): French author referenced in literary discussions.
- [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/napoleon.md): Historical figure referenced in political discussions.
- [Cardinal Wolsey](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/wolsey.md): Historical figure referenced in a school lesson.
- [Sir Walter Scott](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/sir_walter_scott.md): Author referenced in Stephen's childhood reading.
- [Peter Parley](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/peter_parley.md): Fictional author of children's books Stephen reads.
- [Baldwin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/baldwin.md): Historical figure referenced in a school lesson.
- [John Anthony Collins](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/collins.md): Philosopher referenced in Stephen's reading.
- [Gonzaga](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/gonzaga.md): A student at the university, possibly a surname.
- [Billy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/billy.md): A boy at Clongowes, possibly a friend of Stephen.
- [Mat Davin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters/davin_mat.md): A student at the university, possibly related to Fonsy.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/characters