James Joyce - Araby Essay

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Essay Introduction to Literature

An initiation in James Joyce’s story “Araby” Many times in life, people set unrealistic expectations for themselves or for other people. This is not a very wise thing to do because people often feel disappointed and embarrassed for getting their hopes up so high. One good example of this is the narrator in the short story “Araby” by James Joyce. In his brief but complex story James Joyce concentrates on character rather than on plot to reveal the ironies within self-deception. On its simplest level, "Araby" is a story about a boy's first love. On a deeper level, it is a story about the world he lives in that is full of ideals and dreams. "Araby" is a story of initiation, of a boy's quest for …show more content…
Light is used to create a joyful atmosphere. Light is used to create a fairy tale world of dreams and illusions. Joyce uses light to represent not only hope, but unrealistic idealism and illusion.
The narrator is infatuated with his friend's sister. He hides in the shadows, peering secluded from a distance trying to spy her:” Every morning I lay on the floor in the front parlour watching her door. The blind was pulled down to within an inch of the sash so that I could not be seen. I ran to the hall, seized my books and followed her. I kept her brown figure always in my eye and, when we came near the point at which our ways diverged, I quickened my pace and passed her. This happened morning after morning.” (p. 433). The girl in the story is used as a symbol of light to a boy. She is used as someone who will lift him out of darkness. He fantasizes about her, how bringing her a gift from the bazaar will capture her heart. Araby is used as a symbol of something very desirable, almost holy, that is definitely going to change the course of the narration.
And here occurs the situation that exposes boy’s ideas towards his life. He finds Araby much like North Richmond Street, empty and dark with few people. The young lady at the booth ignores him while she flirts with the men. As the woman turns and walks away, he realizes the opportunity of winning his friends sister through gift has slipped away. In the end,
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