"Araby" by James Joyce

Cartime Stories

"Araby" by James Joyce is a story narrated by a young boy who develops a romantic obsession with a girl named Mangan's sister. He watches her every day and tries to interact with her, but is too shy. One day she speaks to him and says she cannot go to a bazaar called Araby because of a church retreat. The boy promises to bring her something from the bazaar.

He becomes consumed with the idea of going to Araby and bringing her a gift. He finally makes the journey after his uncle provides money at the last minute. However, when he arrives at the bazaar, it is closing down and is empty and dark. He leaves devastated, realizing his obsession was fueled more by idealized desire than reality.
Analysis by Dave Fox:
"Araby" is a classic initiation story in which the narrator has an insignificant crush elevate into an epic quest and then disillusionment. Joyce uses rich symbolic imagery of light and dark, substance and insubstantiality to explore the themes of desire, disillusion and self-discovery.

The objects and settings represent the disparity between the narrator's romanticized expectations and the harsh realities he encounters - the dingy street contrasted with his idealized image of Mangan's sister, the frustrating wait for money and transportation versus his urgent longing. Ultimately, the bazaar's deserted stalls and darkness expose the vanity and folly of the boy's obsession and his awakening disillusionment.

The story illustrates the pangs of adolescent awakening and epiphany about the clouded lenses through which youth views the world. Joyce masterfully uses the narrator's disenchantment at Araby as a metaphor for the loss of innocence and romantic notions we all face in growing up.

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