Araby

Introduction

About James Joyce

Archetypes

• Born in Dublin, Ireland, on February 2nd 1882.

Our Story - "Araby"

• Joyce spent nearly his entire life away from Ireland, but he never stopped writing about his homeland.

Books:

-Dubliners (1907)

-Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man (1916)

-Ulysses (1922)

-Finnegans Wake (1939)

Tree: life of the cosmos, inexhaustible life and even immortality because of its consistence,

growth and where we learn.

Apples: the forbidden fruit

The Hero: undertakes some long journey during which he or

she must perform impossible tasks, solve unanswerable riddles, and

overcome obstacles in order to save the kingdom (or an equivalent).

The Soul Mate: Holy Mother, the princess or “beautiful lady”—

incarnation of inspiration and spiritual fulfillment.

• He died in 1941

-unnamed protagonist 9 years of age living on North Richmond Street

-dark and eerie atmosphere Dublin, Ireland

- confused, young, sensitive boy with deep infatuation for Mangan's sister

-constantly watching her from afar portraying her as the light in his life

-plans on going to Araby bazaar and getting the girl something because she can't attend

-arrives at Araby late and comes to realize it's a commercial area, nothing magical or mysterious about it

-also realizes Mangan's sister probably will not care for the souvenir

-comes to his epiphany or maturation realizing his foolishness thinking the girl cared and facing reality at Araby

Araby is a short story written by James Joyce, found in his first book Dubliners (1907).

The story takes place in Dublin, Ireland, following the short coming of age journey of an unnamed protagonist.

Joyce effectively displays a message throughout, about the coming of age in the protagonist, and he does this through images found within the story.

"It has been observed that Joyce's narratives- no matter how daring in their use of literary forms- remain grounded in universal themes and patterns."

(Viewpoints 181)

The Way the Images Develop the Theme of "Coming to Age" in the story.

Our Topic

Imagery

At the end of "Araby", the narrator describes himself "gazing up into darkness". Trace Joyce's use of images related to darkness and blindness in the story. How do these images support his theme? Are these images archetypes?

Figurative language to represent objects, actions and ideas in such a way that it appeals to our physical senses.

Overview:

1. Images related to Darkness and Blindness

2. Images Supporting the Story

3. Are these images archetypes?

Imagery in Araby

• The beginning of the story uses light imagery as the protagonist is still a child
• As his eyes catch upon Mangan's sister we see a change in character
• The young boy becomes infatuated with Mangan's sister
• The young boy grows confused as to why he is so consumed with the girl, "If I spoke to her, how could I tell her of my confused adoration."
• He becomes disinterested in his normal life
• He promises Mangan's sister he will go to Araby and get her something
• Night time falls and he asks his uncle to go to the bazaar
• He crosses the dark street at 9pm
• He arrives at the bazaar, stalls are closed, it is dark and getting ready to close down
• He thought it would be magical and mysterious but comes to see how it is only a commercial area
• Starts to see the reality of his fantasy and that Mangan's sister is just a girl
• He leaves in anger at his foolishness

Blind (Light) Imagery

Dark Imagery

1. Catholic Symbols

2. Childhood

Instead of noticing the darkness around him, his playful childhood harvests this darkness and turns it into light.

His youth emits a glow that blinds away the darkness.

"The space of the sky above us was the colour of ever-changing violet and towards it the lamps of the street lifted our feeble lanterns. The cold air stung us and we played till our bodies glowed. Our shouts echoed in the silent street. The career of our play brought us through the dark muddy lanes behind the houses ..." (Joyce 182)

1. Chalice

-when the narrator accompanies his aunt to the market, he imagines carrying "a chalice safely through a throng of foes".

2. Salver

-when he first walks into the Araby bazaar, he sees men counting money on a salver.

3. Apple tree

-narrator describes an apple tree that stands at the center of his ruined garden.

4. Virgin Mary

-narrator views Mangan's sister as the Virgin Mary

The young boy is totally oblivious to what is around him, and everywhere he goes light images and the happiness of youth follows him.

3. Fairytale

Bright light is used to create a fairytale world of dreams for the young protagonist, and it is expressed through his deep admiration for Mangan's sister.

Example. The Protagonists description of Mangan's sister,

"she was waiting for us, her figure defined by the light of the half opened door."

1. Darkness is Poverty

Through dark images in the story, the setting of poverty on the street is set.

Theme of Light and Blindness

What is Light Imagery ?

What is Dark Imagery ?

• rusty old bike pump
• dark muddy lanes
• dirty street
• dark dripping gardens
• ash pits
• dark odorous stables
• street "jostled by drunken men and bargaining women."

Light imagery is imagery that brings hope and life to a mostly grim situation.

Dark imagery is images and symbols that act as a median to create an eerie and unpleasing setting.

1. Catholicism

2. Childhood

3. Fairy Tale

1. Darkness is Poverty

2. Maturation

3. Exposure to the Real World

Theme of Darkness

Theme of Light and Dark Images

2.Maturation

Dark Images throughout the story are a sign of his maturation.

9:00 Pm :

• uncle allows him to leave for bazaar at this time
• untimely hour for a child
• crosses the dark city at night on his own, leading himself from childhood into steps towards adulthood

3. Exposure to the Real World

As dark imagery begins to present itself more, the protagonist begins to realize more about the atmosphere around him, and is exposed to these harsh realities.

• Darkness of the Bazaar, "The upper part of the hall was now completely dark."

The dark setting now represents his exposure to the world around him without the blindness of light imagery.

• No longer a fairytale
• Realizes Mangan's sister is just a girl
• Feels foolish

• Materialization
• Just a business
• Commercial Area
• Not genuine