Dubliners

Araby

Araby: Summary

"Araby" is about a boy's infatuation with a neighbouring girl, his anticipation of a bazaar (Araby) that he wants to visit for her, and the disappointment he experiences there.

Below is a curated list of books and introductory articles on “Araby” to deepen your understanding of the story.

Overview & Analysis

"Araby" is a coming-of-age story, portraying the journey of an anonymous young boy's infatuation with a girl, and his harsh confrontation with reality. Set in North Richmond Street, the gloomy, uneventful neighbourhood serves as a backdrop to the boy's romantic fantasies and the stark contrast of reality.

The main character, an unnamed boy, is a representative of youth and naivety. His infatuation for Mangan’s sister, the object of his desire, transforms his mundane environment into a world of romantic possibilities. He dreams, "Her image came between me and the page I strove to read," indicating the intensity of his passion. This level of infatuation illustrates the theme of romantic idealization, a common experience in adolescence.

The underlying conflict in the story is the boy's struggle between his romantic dreams and the harsh reality. The bazaar called Araby, which he anticipates as an exotic, alluring place where he can find a gift for the girl he adores, represents an escape from his dull neighbourhood. The conflict arises when the boy's romantic illusions clash with reality.

The bazaar, ultimately, is far from what the boy envisioned. Instead of the bustling, lively place he imagined, it is a nearly closed, dreary market. His late arrival due to his uncle's forgetfulness signifies the indifference of the adult world towards the child's dreams. As he wanders around the almost deserted bazaar, his dreams crumble, and the stark contrast between his expectations and reality becomes agonizingly evident.

The resolution comes in the form of an epiphany, a sudden painful revelation that is a distinct characteristic of Joyce’s narratives. Standing in the dim light of the nearly closed bazaar, he realizes the futility of his feelings and the hollowness of his dreams. He sees himself as "a creature driven and derided by vanity; and my eyes burned with anguish and anger." This epiphany marks his transition from the innocence of childhood to the disillusionment of maturity.

The story explores the theme of maturity and the loss of innocence. The boy’s journey symbolizes the human journey from the illusions of youth to the disillusionment of age. His fantasies about Mangan's sister and the bazaar represent the ideal world of childhood, and the final disappointment signifies the inevitable confrontation with reality as one grows up.

In “Araby,” Joyce expertly uses the first-person narrative to present the protagonist's intense feelings and the transition he undergoes. His internal monologues and perceptions give us insight into his character and the depth of his feelings. The detailed description of the setting mirrors the protagonist's emotional landscape, with the gloomy streets reflecting his internal darkness and the bright bazaar embodying his hopeful dreams.

The story is also a critique of society. The boy's dreams are obstructed by his uncle's neglect, symbolizing the insensitive adult world that disregards children's feelings. The bazaar, a metaphor for life, disappoints him, reflecting the harsh reality that often dashes youthful dreams.

In conclusion, "Araby" is a poignant depiction of the journey from childhood to adolescence. It captures the emotional intensity of youthful infatuation and the painful transition to the disillusionment of maturity. The story's power lies in its ability to evoke universal experiences and emotions, making it a timeless piece of literature.

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