In A Portrait of The Artist as A Young Man, James Joyce uses moments of clarity and a recognition

of another perspective as "epiphanies." The reader becomes aware of the change in Stephen's
character, however momentary, and this drives the plot of the novel. In Stephen Hero, an earlier
version of A Portrait of The Artist as a Young Man, Stephen is referring to the clock at the Ballast
Office, a seemingly insignificant building and clock but capable of making Stephen think
because, "all at once I see it and I know at once what it is: epiphany."
Stephen will face many challenges and his self-development and sense of awareness will reflect
the impact of life and the economic hardships that he and his family must confront. This
ensures that "epiphany' is a very personal experience. Having felt "small and weak" throughout
the first chapter due to his own shortcomings, Stephen, at the conclusion of chapter one, comes
to a realization that he is in a position to embarrass Father Dolan but, in a schoolboy version of
humility, despite being justified in bringing Father Dolan to account, he vows that he will not.
After his sexual encounter and his epiphany at the end of chapter two; "surrendering himself;"
he becomes weighed down by his own sinful acts which "kill(s) the body and (it) kill(s) the
soul." By the end of chapter three, he revels in the life-changing potential that he now faces and
the power and potential of "Another life! A life of grace and virtue and happiness!" As Stephen
takes Communion, he feels the real power of the act of Holy Communion as he accepts that
"Past is past." His feelings are very real and immediate, even if by the end of chapter four he
chooses one path and then a different path. Life and experience goes "on and on and on and
on."
By the end of the novel, Stephen has realized the power of his own contribution, not only to his
self-development, but in promoting "the uncreated conscience of my race." James Joyce ensures
continuity through the use of epiphany because all of the revelations and realizations provide
Stephen with guidance and acknowledge the contribution of each and every experience in
developing Stephen's character and his ability to make a difference.