is one in which death isacknowledged, with no aversion or discomfort, to exist inherently in the defining nature of livingcreatures.

Whilst Stephen’s early attitude to death denotes his submission to authority, Joana’s earliestattitudes declare her deviation from social normality.

Stephen’sattitude to death is consequently important in his early characterisation, for it both reflects theinfluence of Catholic doctrine upon him and, in his assimilation of Catholic principle into hisevery-day life and the suggested superficiality of his understanding, implies his dutifulness tosurrounding authority.

s expressed by Héléne Cixous, young Stephen initially struggles “to be acceptableto the others™:

Tn both his alignment withCatholic principle and his anxious completion of duties, one perceives a desperation to avoid anyform of transgression, reflecting, perhaps, his state of vulnerability during his early days atClongowes.

y reflecthis eagerness to serve and abide to the Law'* that surrounds him.

betray Stephen’s lack of any real, profound understanding of the weight and meaning of thismoral incentive.

appearing to a reader as irrational and extreme

he simplicity and matter-of-factness with which Stephenassimilates the fear of spiritual death into his nightly routine, and his inherent belief that failureto complete his duties will condemn him to hell,

However,there is a discrepancy in severity between the every-day, straight-forward tasks listed and theconcluding reference to hell and death and, despite this, Stephen treats these elements incombination, indiscriminately.

that Catholic doctrine has been ingrained within him:

This fear of damnation is directly associated withStephen’s Catholic context, for, within the Catholic paradigm, physical death will be succeededby eternal punishment if one has committed severe transgressions.

Importantly, Stephen’s firstdirect reference to death is aligned with Catholic doctrine: