A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce (excerpt from Chapter 1) The wide playgrounds were swarming with boys shouting and the prefects urged them on with strong cries. The evening air was pale and chilly and aftel every charge and thud of the footballers the greasy leather orb flew like a heavy bird through the grey light. He kept on the fringe of his line, out of sight of his prefect, out of the reach of the rude feet, feigning to run now and then. He felt his body small and weak amid the throng of the players and his eyes were weak and watery. Rody Kickham was not like that: he would be captain of the third line all the fellows said. Rody Kickham was a decent fellow but Nasty Roche was a stink. Rody Kickham had greaves in his number and a hamper in the refectory. Nasty Roche had big hands. He called the Friday pudding dog-in-the-blanket.

James Joyce's novel is often hailed as a groundbreaking work in modernist literature, and it reflects Joyce's own experiences growing up in Dublin. The setting in a school playground captures a moment of youthful unease and rivalry, echoing Joyce's own struggles with identity and self-esteem during his formative years. The characters mentioned—Rody Kickham and Nasty Roche—are representative of the social dynamics and hierarchies that young boys navigate, showcasing Joyce's keen observation of human behavior. In practical terms, "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man" lays the groundwork for understanding the struggle between individuality and societal expectations. The feelings of inadequacy felt by the protagonist, Stephen Dedalus, can resonate with many who have faced peer pressure in their own lives. The narrative captures the universal journey of self-discovery and the often tumultuous road to becoming one's true self amidst the clamor of childhood and adolescence.