Do I like Stephen Dedalus?

So a common idea asked in class is whether I, the reader, like the character of Stephen Dedalus. This is a hard question to answer, probably mostly because it involves associating myself with Stephen who others may potentially see as a unlikable character. He certainly does a good job alienating readers with his self absorbed thoughts and very removed nature from his peers. Perhaps I find it difficult to dislike Stephen too much since I see some of myself in Stephen (although it may also be part of why I dislike some of his characteristics). I must say when I was in my early teens I certainly felt that it really made me the cool kid to seem as though I were somehow detached from everyone. Maybe I still have that delusion and just don't realize it. As far as I know I've shaken that particularly ailment. Back to Stephen, however, I must say I can sympathize with a lot of his issues, and I actually like him as a character, but there are certainly some qualities about him I find objectionable.

Chief among my dislikes for Stephen would be his indifference to his family, especially after everything his father has done for him school wise. The more interesting point, however, might be that I feel a certain resentment for Stephen due to his facade of maturity. The reason I say that this might be more interesting is because I feel that it's the point that makes me out as more hypocritical. When I was a younger teenager I certainly wanted desperately to believe that I was the most mature kid on the block. The idea that I might not actually be quite so mature as I thought I was never even occurred to me. As far as I was concerned the best way to be cool was to appear as though I were apart from others. Honestly I don't think I even considered the idea that people might see me as someone who thought they were better them. All this considered I still can't help but feel a good deal of scorn and contempt for Stephen. Interestingly enough I think perhaps the reason I feel such contempt for him is the same reason Joyce writes about him ironically. In the illusion of maturity that Stephen Dedalus puts on I see a good deal of my (hopefully) past self, and as a result I feel a certain need to scorn Stephen.