Abstract
The aim of this paper is to analyse the nature and forms of investigative discourse that appears in James Joyce’s novel A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. On one hand, we shall explore the manner in which elements of investigative discourse such as supervision, interrogation, system of punishment, and confession are used in order to maintain the discipline society in Ireland at the beginning of the 20th century. On the other hand, we will analyse the possibility of using investigative discourse with the purpose of annulling repression and achieving individual liberty. The character of Stephen Dedalus will serve as an example so as to show how an individual can apply the process of self-interrogation as investigative technique in order to attempt to liberate themselves from the influence of religion and nationalism and become independent. Both Joyce and his protagonist Stephen believe that art enables us to achieve freedom through the process of artistic creation. In this paper, we shall attempt to demonstrate that art is only an illusion of freedom: instead of liberating us, it only captures us even stronger into a trap of supervision, control and discipline. Believing that art leads us to final liberation, we accept its postulates and consequently become limited by them. Therefore, the consequence of our acceptance is not freedom but voluntary submission.
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