Araby

By James joyce
James Joyce
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Biography
James Joyce, in full James Augustine Aloysius
Joyce, (born February 2, 1882, Dublin, Ireland—died January
13, 1941, Zurich Switzerland), Irish novelist noted for his
experimental use of language and exploration of new literary
methods in such large works of fiction as Ulysses (1922)
and Finnegans Wake (1939) including interior monologue, use
of a complex network of symbolic parallels, and invented
words, puns, and allusions in his novels. He contributed to the
modernist avant-garde movement and is regarded as one of the
most influential and important writers of the 20th century..
Joyce was always a heavy drinker, and he died in 1941 from
complications after having surgery on a perforated ulcer.
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FAMOUS WORKS
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“
“Life is too short to read a bad book.”
- James Joyce
“Shut your eyes and see.”
- Ulysses
“They lived and laughed and loved and left.”
- Finnegans Wake
“But my body was like a harp and her words
and gestures were like fingers running upon
the wires.
From “Araby”
- Dubliners
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Introduction
“Araby” is a short story by James Joyce published in his 1914
collection Dubliners. The story traces a young boy's infatuation with
his friend's sister. When the young girl mentions how badly she
wants to attend a certain bazaar, he sees an opportunity to win her
heart by attending the bazaar himself and bringing her back a gift.
“Araby” is a story in Dubliners, Joyce’s first published collection of
short stories that portrays the middle-class in early 20th Century
Dublin. The collection contains 15 stories, of which “Araby” is the
third. Together the various stories and characters represent multiple
aspects of Irish and Dublin society. The stories are also all marked by
epiphanies, in which a character experiences a profound realization
about life or themselves. Many of the characters are also featured in
Joyce’s later work, Ulysses. Joyce also includes several literary
references in “Araby” that could have potentially influenced the work.
The character of Mangan is thought to be a reference to the
nineteenth century Irish Romantic poet, James Clarence Mangan,
who often wrote about unrequited love.
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Introduction
Though no specific work by Mangan is mentioned in the
text, Joyce presented a paper at the Literary and Historical
Society at University College and his choice to include
“Mangan” as one of the only names in the text is likely an
intentional choice meant to draw a parallel between Mangan’s
work and Joyce’s own. In the story Joyce also mentions three
texts left behind by the former tenant of the narrator’s house,
the priest: The Abbott by Walter Scott is a novel that idealizes
Mary, Queen of Scotts, and this is most likely included to
parallel the narrator’s idealization of Mangan’s sister. The
Devout Communicant could refer to any of several works but
most likely serves the purpose of highlighting the strong
influence of religion on the narrator. And, finally, The Memoirs
of Vidocq is the memoir of a former criminal turned detective,
notable for its sensationalist style.
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Introduction
Araby illustrates the tensions and issues of
Ireland under British colonialism. It highlights
political and social tumult rising as a result of the
desire for freedom from British rule. Joyce also
criticizes Catholic Churches. He pinpoints the flaws
of Churches as well for not appropriately fulfilling
its roles.
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Reading The Short

Story “Araby”
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Summary
The story takes place in the late 19th century in Dublin, on North Richmond Street.
The unknown narrator lives in North Richmond Street. The street has a number of
houses where religion seems to dominate the lives of the people. The narrator talks
about the dead priest. The priest had some non-religious books which show that they
were bothered by the religious restrictions.

Moreover, the street has a dead end and several houses along with a Christian
Brother’s school, a Catholic school for boys are situated in this street. The street
remains quiet, except when the schoolboys play in the street until dinner.

Further, the boys discussed in the story are all children but they are at the threshold of
adulthood. They take interest in the world of adults around them. They watch the
narrator’s uncle when he comes home from work, and they follow Mangan’s older
sister. They are more inclined towards the opposite sex because they are eager to know
more.
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Summary
The sister of Mangan comes out regularly to call Mangan when it gets dark. Mangan
who is a friend of the narrator usually teases her sister while the narrator keeps staring
at her. The narrator begins to notice her physical characteristics. Every morning, he
waits for her to leave so that he can walk behind her on the way to school.

One day, the girl finally speaks to the narrator. She asks him if he is going to Araby- an
upcoming bazaar with Arabic themes. She is unable to go; she has to attend a religious
ritual on the weekend. So, the narrator promises that if he goes to the bazaar, he will
find some gift for her.

The narrator gets permission from his uncle to attend the bazaar. The day finally
arrives, and the boy reminds his uncle that he wishes to go to the bazaar the same
night. His uncle promises him that he will come on time to give him money so that he
can go to the bazaar.
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Summary
However, the uncle of the narrator gets late that night. Due to which the boy gets
disappointed. Finally, his uncle arrived drunk and late and tried to stop the narrator
from going to the bazaar. For this, his uncle hesitates to give him coins. But ultimately
he gives him some coins as his wife convinces him. The boy takes the money and heads
off to the bazaar.

He arrives at the Araby market which is nearly closed, and the narrator’s idealized
notions of the bazaar are abated. Most of the stalls are closed, and when he stops at the
only shop opened. The girl at the shop is busy serving two young men in a flirtatious
way. However, she doesn’t pay any particular attention to the narrator.

This encounter destroys his vision of the Araby bazaar and his idealized vision of
Mangan’s sister. He rethinks his romanticized ideas of love, and with shame and anger,
he is left alone in the bazaar.
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Summary
However, the uncle of the narrator gets late that night. Due to which the boy gets
disappointed. Finally, his uncle arrived drunk and late and tried to stop the narrator
from going to the bazaar. For this, his uncle hesitates to give him coins. But ultimately
he gives him some coins as his wife convinces him. The boy takes the money and heads
off to the bazaar.

He arrives at the Araby market which is nearly closed, and the narrator’s idealized
notions of the bazaar are abated. Most of the stalls are closed, and when he stops at the
only shop opened. The girl at the shop is busy serving two young men in a flirtatious
way. However, she doesn’t pay any particular attention to the narrator.

This encounter destroys his vision of the Araby bazaar and his idealized vision of
Mangan’s sister. He rethinks his romanticized ideas of love, and with shame and anger,
he is left alone in the bazaar.
Themes 14

Escapism
Readers may find both Mangan’s sister and Araby market as an escape from the dull
and ordinary life of Ireland in which the narrator is living. The narrator at first
describes his mundane life. Then, Mangan’s sister becomes a mental escape for the
narrator.

He thinks of her every time even at places which are hostile for romance. Her thoughts
take him away from his routine life. At some points, he could be seen daydreaming
about that girl. Mangan’s sister soothes his mind when he is devastated by his
mundane life.

Similarly, the narrator thinks of something foreign of Araby market. However, he

found out that nothing in Araby market matches the description he made in his mind.
He observes people speaking English. He noticed things there are not so foreign but all
are just a thin veneer of exotics. In the end, he realizes that all his fantasies were just
mistaken belief.
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Religion & Catholicism
Throughout the story, one can see how the narrator is surrounded by catholic figures. He also
attends a Catholic school. Catholicism plays a vital role in his upbringing. Moreover, he thinks
of Mangan’s sister in religious terms and imagery. He is all linked with the Catholic religion.
But all these points contradicted on the ground when he started idolizing Mangan’s sister. He
explains her in religious terms. Given that, he thinks his studies are useless after falling in love
with the girl. Explaining in light of this, it raises questions on the relationship of the narrator
with religion. Narrator’s infatuation and distraction as a result of his crush on Mangan’s sister
suggest his weak faith. Joyce seems to criticize Catholicism and religion in the story. Also, the
priest who was once a tenant at the narrator’s house provides the glimpses of weak faith or
fake Catholicism. His belongings suggest his moral weakness, how he was inclined to read the
works of crimes and romance which is not suitable for the priest.

However, the narrator’s journey towards self-realization suggests his return to religion. He
admits his mistakes and felt guilty for his mistaken beliefs.
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Coming Of Age
The story is told through an adult perspective. One may find the language used to
explain the youthful experiences of a grown man. It is elaborated from the
protagonist’s behaviour towards his friends and family. He no longer enjoys playing
outside and doesn’t laugh on lame jokes of his uncle. Rather, he builds up a defiant
personality towards them.

Also, he develops a crush on a friend’s sister and starts praising her physical
appearance. This tells about the budding sexuality of the narrator. Moreover, his desire
to escape from his boredom and dull life also suggests his mature behavior. Though,
the aforementioned things are the starting point towards his adulthood. His full-grown
maturity is represented in the Araby market.

There he realizes his mistaken beliefs. He gains knowledge about his naïveté that how
he was trying to impress his crush through gifts. Also, how naively he developed a
fanciful idea about the Araby market which in reality is in contrast.
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Love & Sexuality

The narrator developing a crush on his friend’s sister

thought of it as love. He started to think about her and
praises his physical appearance though in religious terms yet
it highlights his budding sexuality. He seems perturbed
regarding the concept of love. At the end of the story, he
realized that whatever he was thinking was wrong.
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Character’s Analysis
THE NARRATOR
He is the protagonist of the story, a young imaginative boy. He lives with his uncle and aunt. He
goes to a Catholic school and one may see how he is surrounded by catholic Irish world. He is in
the habit of seeing and judging the world in religious terms and imagery. Moreover, in the story,
he falls in love with the older sister of his friend, Mangan. By falling in love with that girl, he lost
all his interest, one being a child should have such as playing with friends and doing homework.
The narrator is so obsessed with religious imagery and terms that he sees his love in those terms.
He is of the opinion that his love is like a prayer. At the same time, he also thinks of her as an
escape from the oppression of the Irish world.

In order to gain her attention, he wants to buy a gift for her. For this, he goes to the bazaar and
there he realizes his illusion of love. Also, he experiences the epiphany of his romantic ideas, his
false concepts of the religious sense in terms of love and budding sexuality.

At that time, all his delusions turn into disappointments. Hence, readers may assume it is his
journey of self-realization.
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Character’s Analysis

Likewise, he doesn’t behave

properly with the narrator.
The Narrator’s Uncle Speaking of which he let the
narrator down by coming home
He is the domineering figure in the
late and drunk at the night on
life of the narrator. Also, he seems
which the narrator was
to provoke fear in the narrator and
his friends when he returns from supposed to buy a gift for his
work to home. Moreover, readers love. Similarly, he also tries not
may find him the man with bad to give money to the narrator
manners i-e, drinking problems. but eventually, he gives him
He also owes money to a relentlessly.
pawnbroker’s wife, Mrs Mercer.
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Character’s Analysis
Mangan’s Sister
The Narrator’s Aunt She is the older sister of the narrator’s
friend, Mangan, with whom the
The seems like a motherly figure to the narrator seems to fall in love. She shows
narrator. She cares about the narrator up routinely to call her brother for tea
and expresses her concern when he is when he is playing outside with friends.
going to Araby market late at night. She In the story, it is shown how she is
suggests to him that going that late isn’t a interested in the Araby market. Due to
good idea. She uses religious terms while her interest, the narrator seems like a
speaking in the story. However, in the end, gift for her in Araby market. However,
she persuades the narrator’s uncle to no glimpses of love or interest are shown
allow him to visit the bazaar. This depicts from the girl’s side for the narrator.
her sympathetic nature before readers.
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Character’s Analysis
Moreover, these books also exhibit the
priest’s life that he is indulged after
THE PRIEST church in works which are non-
religious. These books indicate his taste
He is the former tenant of the narrator’s
of reading which includes crimes and
house. He made his last breaths in the
romance novels. This raises questions on
drawing-room of that house. Readers may
find this character from his belongings that is
the moral codes of the Catholic Church.
mentioned by the narrator, which are still In his belongings, there is also something
present at the house. His belongings include else included. The narrator states that it
The Abbot (a romance novel by Sir Walter is a bicycle pump which is kept hidden.
Scott), The Devout Communicant (a work of This throws light on the secret outside
Catholic devotional literature), and The the life of priests.
Memoirs of Vidocq (a detective’s memoir) in
which the narrator takes particular interests.
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Character’s Analysis

Moreover, she doesn’t pay heed to

the narrator and talks to him in an
Young Female absurd manner, which discourages
Shoekeeper the narrator from buying anything.
Further, her flirtation brings
She is a flirtatious character. Two realization in the narrator about the
men approached her stall, and the silliness of the attempt to impress
narrator noticed her act of flirting Mangan’s sister with a gift.
with those men. Also, he noticed her
English accent and of the men she is
talking to. The English accent of them
contradicts the narrator’s fantasies
which he was having about Araby
market.
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Character’s Analysis
She is the widow of a
pawnbroker to whom the
narrator’s uncle owes some
money. For this, she waits
for him to demand his
money back on the night of
Mrs. Mercer Araby market. She seems to
be a collector of postage
stamps in order to sell it
further to other collectors. In
this way, she earns money
for a religious cause.
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Literary Analysis
This story is written between 1905 and 1907 and it recounts tensions of
Ireland under British control. At that time, Ireland was the colony of
Britain and Irish people resented that. Consequently, a movement called
nationalism was raised. Joyce has tactfully highlighted those tensions and
issues. In the story, it is evident how Joyce has portrayed Ireland as dull and
troublesome. Also, the narrator of the story wants to flee from his real-
world into his ideal world. Joyce has inserted the element of escapism so
the readers may understand the perturbed situations of Ireland. The desire
of the narrator’s escapism mirrors the political and social upheaval from
which Joyce himself wants to flee.
Similarly, the images Joyce has drawn provide evidence of the tensions
of those times. He has set the story in winter. It not just literally depicts the
coldness but also highlights the degradation of society as an upheaval in the
country. Moreover, the usage of dark imagery also supports the
aforementioned issues.
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Literary Analysis
Likewise, Joyce criticized the religious institution and the youth of his country. He
rebukes the role of religious institutions they were performing. For instance, the figure
of the priest in the story recounts the hypocrisy of religious institutions. The priest who is
supposed to be abiding by rules was actually deviant or nonconformist. His inclination
towards romance and criminal novels recounts the clandestine life he was living after
church hours.

Similarly, the narrator also seems to follow religion in every aspect. However, he also
mirrors his weak faith when he is inclined to sexual desires. This throws light on the
moral degradation of society.

As well as, Joyce draws readers’ attention towards political tumult of those times. He
alludes to certain terms like Donovan O’Rossa. This highlights the nationalist movement
which brings civil war in the country in order to get rid of British colonialism. Also, the
chanting of songs “come-all-you” mentioned in “Araby” express the spread of
nationalist movement which back then was spread through songs at streets and pubs.

Moreover, people’s taste for materialistic gains is also shown. The narrator thinks buying
a gift would be a better way of impressing Mangan’s sister. Also, Mangan’s sister desires
for material objects from Araby market.
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Literary Analysis
The story also recounts the narrator’s epiphany. At first, the narrator got astray
from the path. He started walking on the road of materialism, sexual desires and
delusions. He even thinks that his studies are of no use. He seems to fantasize
about Mangan’s sister every time.

However, in the end, all his beliefs proved wrong and Araby market brought the
understanding of epiphany to the narrator. He once again seems to behold the
support of religion which he has lost once.

Also, one can see the journey from naïveté towards maturity. Firstly, the narrator’s
get stuck in the web of his mistaken beliefs. He thinks whatever his thoughts are
they are true and pure. Those thoughts strike him as an escape from the real filthy
world to the ideal world not only physically but mentally. Mangan’s sister provides
him mental escape and the thoughts regarding Araby bazaar also provide him with
an escape.

However, whatever he thought about Araby bazaar proved wrong. He thought it a

place surrounded by Oriental things and people. However, he saw people speaking
English there. He witnessed a flirtatious woman which also contradicts his ideals
of romance. At that time, he seems to realize all his mistakes and that time mature
thoughts probed into his mind. He admits his vain motives of impressing Mangan’s
sister.
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Significance of The Title

Joyce used this title to highlight the exoticism and ideals of

romance in the story. It provides the glimpses of escapism.
Similarly, it depicts the narrator’s longings of his life. However,
Joyce also contradicts his title at the end of the story. The very
Araby bazaar to which the narrator desperately wanted to visit,
contradicts his mistaken beliefs. Also, it brings the understanding
of his epiphany.

Setting
The time period of the short story is set in the 19th century.
However, the location of the story is set in Dublin, Ireland. The
narrator lives in North Richmond Street where he frequently plays
with his friends.
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Symbolism

Joyce has inserted the following symbols in the text:

BROWN
The color brown is used multiple times in the story. The brown color
emphasizes the dullness of Dublin. The narrator describes those
things brown which appear to him dull. By using this symbol Joyce
portrays house as brown, even Mangan’s sister as a “brown-clad
figure” to represent the dull ordinary life.

It depicts how Dublin strikes irksome and uninteresting to the

narrator both physically and mentally.
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Blindness

The word blind is used repeatedly in the text. It symbolizes

the narrator’s naïveté and isolation. The narrator’s house is
situated at the blind end which suggests its lonesomeness
from the other houses. Also, it foreshadows the narrator’s
isolation from his friends and routinely life.

Moreover, the narrator is figuratively blinded by the

infatuation of Mangan’s sister. This makes him a secluded
person. Similarly, he gets blinded to the true concept of love
and his mistaken beliefs.
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Darkness

Joyce has used a great deal of light and darkness in the

story. At first, darkness reveals the narrator’s dull life. The
way he plays with his friends in a little lighted area. Also,
the short days of winter depict the lack of enthusiasm in
his life. Hence, darkness depicts his perturbed life and
mentality.

However, in the end, the very darkness becomes the

understanding of the narrator’s epiphany. When lights
turned off at the Araby market the narrator started to stare
at the darkness. At that time, he realized delusions and
vain motives of impressing Mangan’s sister.
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Imagery
Joyce draws a vivid picture of the location of the narrator’s abandoned house. He shows
how detached it was from the row of other houses. The narrator says “An uninhabited
house of two storeys stood at the blind end, detached from its neighbours in a square
ground”. This represents the loneliness of the narrator as well.

Moreover, the narrator has religious imagery to draw the picture of Mangan’s sister
before readers. The narrator imagines her every time no matter where he is. In the
middle of the market and hustle and bustle, he conjures up her image. In his thoughts,
Mangan’s sister strikes him as a spiritual image.

At the same time, he also imagines himself as a knight protecting his pure love from
enemies. The narrator says “I imagined that I bore my chalice safely through a throng of
foes”.

Similarly, he drew a coarse picture of Dublin when he was visiting the market with his
aunt. He depicts it full of hustle and bustle. However, the people and things present over
there were agitating. Due to undisciplined people, he collides with the people. The
narrator emphasizes ill-mannered people and the dirtiness of Dublin. He says “jostled
by drunken men and bargaining women, amid the curses of labourers, the shrill litanies
of shop-boys who stood on guard by the barrels of pigs’ cheeks”
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Literary Devices

Joyce has used the following literary devices in the text:

METAPHOR, PERSONIFICATION AND SIMILE

Joyce uses humanly attributes to describe the view of other houses. The
narrator observes that houses are “conscious” of the people living in it. Also,
he notices they “gaze” at each other.

Moreover, the narrator uses the metaphor of “imperturbable faces” to

describe the unchanging and static position of houses.

Similarly, the narrator seems to be using similes in order to convey his

emotions as he talked to his crush. He feels his body “like a harp” and her
words strike him “like fingers running upon the wires”.
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Literary Devices
ALLUSION
Mostly, Joyce has used religious allusions in the text. At first, the narrator alluded
to three books “The Abbot by Walter Scott”, “The Devout Communicant”, and “The
Memoirs of Vidocq“.

Moreover, one can find religious allusions in the description of Mangan’s sister.
The narrator portrays her as a “chalice”. It is an allusion to the cup used in the
Christian act of communion, and by extension to the Holy Grail used by Jesus
Christ. Further, the narrator alluded to the search of Holy Grail by connecting
“chalice” with “throngs of foes“. This suggests how the narrator imagines his
crush as a Holy figure before him.

In the same manner, the narrator also alluded to the biblical book of Genesis when
he depicts his house with a Garden. He says that his house was previously
occupied by a former priest and that time it contains a garden with an apple tree.
This very example alluded to Adam and Eve who live in the Garden of Eden. They
were sent to the Earth as a result of eating a forbidden fruit commonly known as an
apple. By eating so, they also lost their innocence.

Furthermore, the narrator talks about O’Donovan Rossa. This provides the allusion
to Irish Fenian leader and prominent figure of the Irish Republican Brotherhood.
This provides the glimpses of nationalism and political tumult.
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Literary Devices
FORESHADOWING
Joyce portrays the narrator’s house as the abandoned one from the row of
other houses. With the help of this Joyce foreshadows the narrator’s
seclusion in the text. As well as, Joyce alluded to the Adam and Eve loss of
innocence. By doing so, he foreshadows the narrator’s loss of innocence and
budding sexuality.

TONE
At first, the narrator describes the settings and characters in a depressed
and gloomy tone. Later on, the narrator seems to use a cheerful and
hopeful tone. However, in the end, the tone changes into morose and
sombre revealing the narrator’s epiphany.

GENRE
Araby is a short story written in the realism genre.

POINT OF VIEW
This story is told with a first-person narrative point of view.
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Thanks!
Prepaired by Dela Cruz, Sherlyn B.
BSEd 3 - English
 Let’s review some concepts!

1. Who wrote Araby?

2. What is it all about?
3. Araby is a collection of?
4. Pronounce the ff. correctly:
a. Avant-garde
b. Vidocq
c. Memoir
d. Heresy
5. What have you learned about the short story?