As I've been reading A Portrait, I've constantly recalled on what I've learned in my 11th grade sociology class: Structuralism proposed by Frederic Jameson. Jameson's idea of structuralism leads to an explicit search for the permanent structures of the mind. Additionally, I think Joyce is phenomenal at demonstrating such process of structure - an organization through which his mind experiences the world or builds meaning to what is essentially meaningless to pioneer a "stream of consciousness." Something as simple as the depths of someone's pockets serves as a unit of language that has a value of meaning to Joyce.
When I speak about Joyce's phenomenon, I mention that there's such a sophistication to his illogical associations to things - Each stage refers to a new world (similar pattern) that is soon superseded but is reminiscent of the former. There's a pattern where Stephen focuses his organization of thought to something motivating (and compelling enough to devote time to). Stephen "senses the cycle of his life well enough to suspect that his triumph at the end... must be followed by a fall."
Thus far, I thought this was a great way to organize the "pattern" of what becomes the cycle of Stephen's triumphs and fall... and its recurrence in the chapters that follow. I haven't finished the last chapter but I perceive it has much to do with college and the development of Stephen's spoken words becoming written and more established.
I really like this chart. I think that it does a great job of not only breaking down the chapters, but summing them up as well. I think that this is a very accurate portrayal of the novel and the chapters and really puts into perspective what Joyce is trying to express to the reader and how Stephen is feeling and what it is he is experiencing.
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