Stephen's journey to discover who he is as a person changes drastically throughout the novel. At one point, he is throwing himself to religion, in essence giving himself up to the Lord and ideals that the church present to him. This act of submission is a result of the troubled home life that Stephen has had to endure, and predictably he turns to the only stable figure in his life that has offered guidance and protection since his days at Clongowes. In contrast, he struggles to become independent when the debacle at his home begins; his families' ever-increasing financial burdens, the lack of his father's social status, all point to Stephen to trying to separate himself from the mess.
I don't believe that Stephen has displayed any type of evil characteristics; in fact, I would argue that his sentimental mentality and passive nature reflect a unique, intuitive young boy who exhibits many characteristics that put him ahead of his years. He contemplates everything, critiques the slightest event, and I think it all amounts to a mature demeanor that encompasses the type of human being Stephen is developing in to. He is on the receiving end of all the bullying in school, which is a result of his quiet, conservative nature. Stephen isn't one to be taken lightly, however, because I believe he possesses the ability to read people very well. His encounter with the prostitute is one such example. Stephen is attempting to escape from the harsh realm of society that surrounds him, yet when he is confronted with a means of escape his first reaction is hesitant. This, I believe, is because of his over-analytical nature, and contributes greatly to his distinct ability to judge the world around him and make conscious decisions about how the world processes.
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