Thesis essay: In James Joyce's short story "Araby," the narrator's description of his emotions towards his first love, Mangan's sister, may seem unrealistic to some readers, but can be understood through the intense feelings that first love can evoke in a person, as shown through the use of similes to depict the boy's helplessness and the girl's control over his emotions.
Through his use of religious imagery in the story "Araby," James Joyce demonstrates the extent of the narrator's devotion to his first love, highlighting the profound impact of love as a form of religious experience.
In James Joyce's short story, "Araby," the author explores the societal issues surrounding housing, jobs, the educational system, and class differences in Dublin around 1900, highlighting how these factors shape the characters' experiences and aspirations.
By setting the story in the impoverished and bleak city of Dublin, James Joyce emphasizes the limitations and frustrations faced by the characters, particularly the narrator, in their pursuit of love and fulfillment. The boy's infatuation with Mangan's sister becomes a fleeting escape from the harsh realities of his surroundings, symbolizing the allure of love as a form of escapism and hope.
Furthermore, Joyce uses the imagery of the bazaar, "Araby," as a metaphor for the boy's disillusionment and shattered illusions about love and the world around him. The dilapidated and empty bazaar represents the harsh reality of the boy's unrequited love, as well as the broader theme of unattainable dreams and the disappointment that often accompanies them.
Through the depiction of the narrator's emotions, the use of religious imagery, and the exploration of societal issues, James Joyce's "Araby" delves into the complexities of first love, the limitations imposed by societal constraints, and the harsh realities of life that often lead to disillusionment and disappointment. Despite the seemingly unrealistic nature of the narrator's emotions, they serve as a poignant and relatable exploration of the profound impact of first love and the struggles of navigating the complexities of relationships in a harsh and unforgiving world.