The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background. The latest generation of titles in this series also feature glossaries and visual elements that complement the classic, familiar format. Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man tells the semi-autobiographical account of James Joyce's first 20 years, but it is also a profound investigation into the perspective and formation of an artist. Originally intended to present the protagonist Stephen Daedalus as a renegade Catholic artist-hero, the story also succeeds as a testament of what it means to be alive and filled with curiosity, desire, and sensitivity -- in short, to be an artist. CliffsNotes on Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man helps you understand the overall structure of the novel and the actions and motivations of the characters by providing you with chapter-by-chapter summaries and commentaries. Other features that help you study include A chronology of the author's life offers insight into his writing styleDescriptive character analysesGlossaries to define new and unfamiliar termsCritical essays on Joyce's use of imagery and autobiographyA review section that tests your knowledge Classic literature or modern modern-day treasure -- you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides