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A thing of beauty – Cronin

Stephen has finished his education at Oxford and is back to his hometown Stillwater , to his dad , Bertram Desmond , the Rector of Stillwater , his mom , Julia Desmond , a self indulgent lady who is bothered about none but herself, his cute sister Caroline who adores him , his epileptic brother David and his love Clair . Everyone is very happy at his arrival . His dad is happy and proud and dreams of the coming future wherein his son would succeed him after his ordination. He rests all his hope on Stephen , in him he sees the efficient curate that he wanted to be , someone who is loved by all and someone who’d take good care of all.
Things take a gloomier turn when Stephen tells his dad that he wants to go to Paris since he is interested in painting. His dad tells him of his epileptic brother ,almost invalid mother, himself old and ageing and tells him that paining is just a whim which he needs to leave away and continue with the good life there. Stephen assures him that he will give it a try. He will try his best to be a priest but will give up if he cannot.

Stephen’s friend Gyn plans to go to Paris to do painting but just before he goes he fuels the fire in Stephen’s heart by telling him that he’d make a poor parson and that what is suited for him is what is his heart’s desire which is painting and he should go to Paris to pursue painting.

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