The following question is based on your reading of "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man" by James Joyce.

Why does Father Dolan paddle Stephen?

(A) Stephen is not doing his work because his glasses are broken.

(B) Stephen is not doing his work, because he does not know the answers to the Latin problems.

(C) Stephen is talking to another student to get answer to the Latin problems,

(D) Stephen is talking to another student because his glasses are broken.

It's (A) Stephen is not doing his work because his glasses are broken.

Father Dolan paddled Stephen because when he entered in the class, Stephen wasn't studying as his glasses were broken.

Answer: A

Explanation:

"A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Boy": When Father Dolan Paddled Stephen

The novel "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Boy" is based on the story of a boy named Stephen Dedalus, portraying his life and thoughts as an artist in search of his views in the 19th century inspite of the personal, religious and economical stress.

In one of the chapter of the novel, the incident has been explained when Stephen's teacher Father Dolan entered the classroom and saw Stephen not studying. Being strict he asked Stephen why he was not studying upon which Stephen explained that his glasses were broken and hence, he wouldn't be able to read.

But, Father Dolan took it as false excuse and started paddling badly on Stephen's hands as a lesson for other students for making false excuses which was a wrong deed.

Although, it was explained that Stephen was genuine was not making false excuse for the glasses.