Significance of "Birdgirl" in Joyce's Portait of the Artist as a Young Man.
Significance of the "Birdgirl"
The "birdgirl" is one of the most powerful symbols in James Joyce's A Portrait of the artist as a Young Man because she serves as an epiphany to Steven. Upon gazing at the beauty of this young girl a sudden and undeniable change comes over him. Before he sees her he is still debating whether or not to become a priest. His soul is in turmoil and he has conflicted thoughts and emotions about his purpose in life.
The "birdgirl" is important because she becomes to Steven a muse which empowers him to become an artist. When he glimpses her there in the water, he has a sudden moment of clarity about who he is and what he should become. Steven is forever changed by this revelation because it gives him the vision.....
