novitiate and with what dismay he would wake the first morning in the dormitory." Stephen realizes that the clerical collar would be too tight for him to wear. A walk on the beach confirms this thought in Stephen's mind through the statement, "Heavenly God! cried Stephen's soul in an outburst of profane joy." The sight of a woman and the knowledge that, as a priest, he could not even talk to her, finally convinces Stephen to abandon religion. His running escape from the woman also symbolizes his run from religion and restriction, a run to freedom, to the life of an artist. The life of an artist is one of individuality and solitude, both of which Stephen exhibits in the final chapter. Religion is the last thing on Stephen's mind as he formulates his theses on art, aesthetic beauty, ideal pity and ideal terror. While these theses are important to the continuity of the novel, religion does not resurface until much later. Near the end of the novel, Cranly sees the folly of the life Stephen is trying to make for himself. He is surrounding himself with beautiful thoughts and images, but these images will not hold him later in life. Realizing such, Cranly gently tries to push religion back into Stephen's life, stating, "Do you not fear that those words may be spoken to you on the day of judgment?" This question, however, is met by the rebuke, "What is offered me on the other hand?...An eternity of bliss in the company of the dean of studies?" Stephen's bitterly sarcastic denunciation of the religious life represents a final break from all religion. The end of Stephen's life in Ireland rings hollow, for this exchange shows the emptiness he has to show for it. In response to the question of whether he loves his mother, Stephen says, "I don't know what your words mean." This statement shows the lack of love in Stephen's life that results from the absence of religion, for without religion there can be no true feeling or outlet for these feelings. ...
