Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man

Characterize Stephen's classmates.

classmate

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Wells

Young boy, student at Clongowes. Bully who pushes Stephen into the cesspool, which leads to Stephen becoming very ill. Stephen earns a little of the other boys' respect when he does not rat on wells.

Athy

Young boy, student at Clongowes. Stephen is sick with Athy in the Clongowes infirmary.

Cranly

One of Stephen's best friends at university. Stephen trusts and respects him enough to share all of his fears and feelings with him. Intelligent and sensible, his questions help Stephen to understand himself. In the end, Stephen realizes that Cranly belongs in Ireland in a way that he doesn't; at this point, he realizes that their friendship will inevitably end.

Davin

Stephen's friend at university. Davin comes from good Irish peasant stock. He is simple and pleasant. Stephen is frustrated by Davin's unimaginativeness and his thick-skulled Irish patriotism, but something about Davin's nature touches him.

Lynch

Stephen's friend at university. During a hurling match, Lynch obligingly listens to Stephen's theories about aesthetics.

McCann

Stephen's peer at university. McCann is deeply involved in politics and tries to get Stephen to sign a petition.

Temple

Stephen's peer at university. Temple is somewhat tiresome, sometimes self-deprecating but often abrasive or pretentious. He admires Stephen.

Source(s)

http://www.gradesaver.com/portrait-of-the-artist-as-a-young-man/study-guide/character-list/