Compared to his other words, James Joyce’s “Araby” seems almost simplistic, with a touching yet fairly straightforward story of a boy falling in love with a girl living across the street being the main plot. However, while the love story is placed at the forefront and emphasized strongly, the true meaning of “Araby” remains hidden under layers of the specified storyline. Describing the main character’s journey from hope to disappointment, “Araby” seems to convey the meaning of a coming-of-age story, namely, the process of growing up and learning to accept bitter disappointment. The ability to reconcile with a specific feeling of loss, be it the failed relationship or another kind of disappointment, becomes apparent as the essential message of the story as the lot progresses. Namely, as the character realizes his futility in building relationships with Araby, he experiences a series of conflicting emotions: “Gazing up into the darkness I saw myself as a creature driven and derided by vanity” (Joyce par. 37). Thus, Joyce proves the need for self-introspection as a part of entering adulthood and reconciling with loss. Despite the short story ending with the protagonist experiencing anger, Joyce leaves enough room for further character growth and the eventual acceptance of the change. Despite the love story being at the center of Joyce’s “Araby,” the core meaning of the story appears to lie in a more somber message of learning to accept disappointment as a part of becoming an adult. The specified idea is conveyed as the plot unravels, allowing the reader to follow the kaleidoscope of emotions that the protagonist experiences. As a result, at the end of the novel, the fleeting sense of excitement that captures the eliding character is replaced with the experience of loss and the ultimate learning that comes with its acknowledgment. Therefore, the process of growing up and accepting disappointment lies at the core of the story.
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3 thoughts on “MOHAMED KITCHELAN DISCUSSION 5”
First at all, thank you for your amazingly written point of view of what the story “Araby” is about.
Secondly, I haven’t noticed so deeply –until I saw your comment– that the meaning of the story is so intensely related to reconciling and coping with feelings of loss. Now, looking back at the book I can see that his source of disappointment started right after things went wrong, and they were only triggered by himself and his urge to impress his love. And that definitely traces back to adulthood, where unfortunately we are sometimes the only ones responsible for our own losses and fails.
I also feel like there’s space for a discussion of how being in love actually looks like. When we are in love, our brain chemistry changes and we consequently become more “risk taker” animals, full of desires and unable to see reality outside of the realm that involves the other person. Maybe he didn’t love her so deeply because he was young, but because this is the nature of love and how it starts.
Mohamed, I do agree that loss is an important theme in “Araby.” However, I think a deeper look at the character himself will show why he needs to create a fantasy in his life. The story is not about love. The boy hardly even knows this girl. He has created a fantasy in order to bring some semblance of light and hope into his life. When he realizes that it is all a fantasy, what is he left with?
Hello Mohamed, in your discussion, I agree with you the narrator feels loss. But one thing I disagree is about the narrator falling in love. The narrator feels that he falls in love with his friend’s sister. But truly is that the narrator doesn’t know this girl very well. This girl is a little bit older than him. I agree with professor Celeste because this boy has created a fantasy that would make him feel well and light.