Simon Dedalus seems to shift his burden to his son, as the narration implies: " The sudden flight from the comfort and revery of Blackrock, the passage through the gloomy foggy city, [ ] and again an institution or foreknowledge of the future came to him" (p. 60, 206-210). Stephen's journey to discover himself finally begins to take off as he realizes from what he needs to escape.
Not only are there family-related constraints, but social constraints exist as well. In Chapter Two, Joyce introduces Stephen's acquaintance with Heron, who comes across very hostile during their first meeting (p. 70 544-548). Heron ridicules Stephen for not partaking in vices common to his peers: "[ ] Dedalus is a model youth. He doesn't smoke and he doesn't go to bazaars and he doesn't flirt and he doesn't damn anything or damn all" (p. 71, 572-574). Heron seems to be glorifying himself by insinuating Stephen is unpopular because he does not behave in ways that Heron considers appropriate for males their age. In reality, Stephen's maturity level and sense of priorities illustrate his sense of morality, which is consistent with a more mature generation. Heron himself serves as a catalyst for Stephen's "flight" in that Stephen realizes there are individuals nearby with whom he can relate well, and then there are others like Heron who will simply remain acquaintances, for the latter are not people whose company he chooses to have around him; therefore, he must fly away.
Stephen, who has devoted much of his life to education, attends various institutions including Wood School run by Jesuits, Belvedere School when his family moves to Dublin, and the University College near the end of the novel. Stephen is about eighteen now, and is traveling over a bridge, leaving the University, when a group of boys from school start to call him names. Stephen becomes fearful and " [h]is throat ached with a desire to cry aloud, the cry of a hawk or eagle on high, [ ] An instant of wild flight had delivered him and [ ]" (p.
