In James Joyce's "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man," the protagonist seeks to reconcile his inner visions with the tangible world around him. This desire reflects a longing for authenticity, as he grapples with the disparity between his ideals and reality. The struggle to manifest his artistic vision is central to his development and represents the challenges faced by artists in expressing their inner thoughts.

The quoted line encapsulates this journey, highlighting the protagonist's ambition to transform fleeting ideas into a concrete existence. It underscores the significance of self-discovery and the pursuit of truth, as he strives to bring depth and meaning to his experiences. Ultimately, it speaks to the universal quest of individuals to align their inner selves with the external world.