In his youth, Derek Walcott was interested in James Joyce so much that he acted the same way as Joyce`s hero, Stephen Dedalus, when a Catholic archbishop criticized his debut poem, "The Voice of St. Lucia". Thus, the poet`s biographical experience may influence the reader`s perception of the poem as an imitation of Joyce`s novel. However, despite the biographical sympathy between the two writers, this study discusses Walcott`s portrait of an artist in Another Life in terms of his variation of that of Joyce`s A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. Walcott`s artistical portrait is a variation of that of Joyce`s novel, even though it is developed in the process of self-exploration, self-discipline, and self-confidence. While Joyce`s hero is isolated from his family, school, and church, and then from himself for the sake of his artistic dream, Walcott`s poetic self is among those with whom he lives. He shares the sufferings that his mother, an artistic teacher, and a peer go through, namely poverty, loss of sovereignty, and inner conflict between politically opposite sides. And his artistic dream reflects his sturdy will to overcome the hardships common to Caribbeans. More specifically, even though criticizing the place for its absurdities and contradictions, the poetic self makes a decision to strengthen his artistic life and dream, keeping track of those who live with their self-overcoming will. In other words, the poet`s artistic dream is formed on the basis of his Caribbean life and its sensibility. Therefore, it is obvious that not all of the poet`s artistic portrait is similar to Joyce`s, even though the poet was sympathetic to Joyce`s hero throughout his youth.