Imagination is the individual's ability to create mental images through his perception of reality. It is an indispensable artistic tool that allows humans to express themselves creatively; separates us from other living creatures. In Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Stephen Dedalus struggles through adolescent life to discover his true calling. In this novel, imagination is the invisible force that forces Stephen to take initiative in life. As the story progresses, the role of imagination is evident in Stephen's four distinct transformations. “I go to meet for the millionth time the reality of experience and to forge in the forge of my soul the uncreated consciousness of my race” (Joyce 275). His imagination is the tool that allows Stephen to finally create his own consciousness and, through self-understanding, finally become an artist. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Stephen's first major transformation occurs when he confronts the rector of Clongowes Wood College. Stephen believes it is unfair that Father Dolan punished him for idleness when in reality he was exempted from his duties. His determination to correct the injustice against himself is only possible through his imagination. After withdrawing from his cause, Stephen feels encouraged: “He thought of the bald head of the prefect of studies with the cruel colorless eyes looking at him and heard the voice of the prefect of studies asking him twice what his name was” (Joyce 56) . This tiny, negative description encourages Stephen to take action. After imagining Father Dolan, he becomes confident and successfully asks the rector to correct the mistake. This initial victory, the first in a series of events leading to Stephen's freedom from society, occurs largely through his active imagination. As Stephen continues to grow and understand more about the society around him, he encounters new obstacles that he must overcome. to achieve his vocation. The irony is that Stephen prepares himself to face these challenges; both the highs and lows of his life are due in part to his decisions. One such trial involves the Dublin prostitute, where Stephen loses his innocence but learns the folly of the sinful life. “The equation on the page of his scribble began to spread out in a tail… It was his own soul moving forward into experience, unfolding sin after sin, spreading outward the baleful fire of its burning stars, and folding in on itself , slowly fading away, extinguishing its own lights and fires. (Joyce 110) As Stephen imagines his doodle, he thinks about his relationship to his sinful life. He imagines the various sins he has committed and also talks about lights and fires. This heralds his abandonment of this life for the religious one; the recurring symbolism of fire convinces Stephen that this immoral life is not for him. Stephen's imagination about its consequences leads him to this conclusion. When Stephen decides to quell his sexual needs, he once again allows himself to progress through a stage of life. However, imagination plays a crucial role here as he decides to leave behind the sinful life that many people choose and continues to search for his calling. After indulging in sin, Stephen Dedalus repents and decides to live his life religiously. Religious retreat with Clongowes terrifies Stephen; he believes that a vengeful God will condemn him for his sins. The main factor here is Father Arnall's speech. He talks about fire and brimstone, emphasizing that those.