Though bittersweet by the fact that Stephen leaves what contributes to all that is Stephen Dedalus, it certainly shows a beginning rather than a 'hopeless' ending. Whereas the other novels show hopelessness or suggest a status of something like a fallen hero (leading us to feel sorry for our protagonist), I felt celebratory in Stephen's self-imposed exile. It was then that I felt he was being true to himself. Similar to Stephen, however, Tambu also forsakes her family but was expected to be the financial bearer for her family. Additonally, Stephen is like Nwoye since he chooses something contrary to what is expected of him. Dually, it creates a portrait of the pain, loneliness, and sacrifice for the self-pursuit. The idea is that Stephen isn't Stephen until he cuts off all ties of his past and really sees the essence of what makes him an 'artist.'
Additionally, Joyce seems to make a claim that education transforms the way one thinks about the world causing him to question traditional views. Does that mean that colonial education is the cause for all our characters' self-imposed exile (or was it by force)?
In his closing lines (which I might add, is pompously beautiful), Stephen emphatically states, "Welcome, O life! I go to encounter the millionth time the reality of experience and to forge the smithy of my soul to the uncreated conscience of my race..." These very lines speaks volumes about what Stephen hopes and intends to accomplish while in isolation. Additionally, it shows that Stephen is only able to speak for the "conscience of [his] race" if he leaves them - departure will allow Stephen to understand Ireland objectively, without influences of feelings or opinions. It is then that he can actually envision writing and 'artistry' as a service to his people.
I think colonial education (or maybe simply the incorporation of the English language predominantly in Stephen's case) did significantly play a part in his ultimate self-imposed exile. Stephen's struggles with the traditional views imposed upon him serve as perfect representation of a type of education affecting one's view of the world and causing questioning. As Joyce states, comparing individuals to birds, "the creatures of the air have their knowledge and know their times and seasons because they, unlike man, are in the order of their life and have not perverted that order by reason." Joyce recognizes that reason does pervert traditional thought, but unlike some of the other authors we have read, truly embraces and encourages this influx of new thought, as demonstrated by the acts of his character Stephen, who seems guided almost solely by reason- allowing it to carry him about in every which direction.
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