“Araby” by James Joyce is not a love story. What is “Araby” really about?
“Araby” is a short story written by James Joyce. This story revolves around a boy and recounts his disillusionment. The boy develops a big crush on his friend’s older sister. The narrator at first describes his mundane life. Then, Mangan’s sister becomes a mental escape for the narrator. All 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. He thinks of her every time. At some points, he could be seen daydreaming about that girl. He explains her in religious terms. Moreover, he thinks his studies are useless after falling in love with the girl. However, in the end, all his beliefs proved wrong and Araby market brought the understanding of epiphany to the narrator. The narrator thinks of something foreign in the Araby market. However, he found out that nothing in the Araby market matches the description he made in his mind. He observes people speaking English. He noticed things there are not so special. He realizes his illusion of love. At that time, all his delusions turn into disappointments.
