Araby By James Joyce

James Joyce was born in Dublin, in 1882 and subsequently became one of Ireland's greatest writers with books such as Dubliners' being hugely successful among many around the world. Still considered one of the greatest writers to this day, Joyce even succeeds in having a day dedicated to him named after one of his characters.

One of Joyce’ important traits was his ability to paint a realistic picture of Dublin through many of his stories. He believed in portraying Ireland as it really was.

The story of Araby is a portrayal of ‘first love’ and tells of a boy's powerful infatuation with a young girl whom he encounters. Joyce begins the story by creating a sense of a life and world that is both gloomy and trapped. The houses are described
In his imagination Araby is an exotic land filled with mystery and excitement and ‘the symbols of the word Araby were called to me through the silence in which my soul luxuriated and cast eastern enchantment over me. However, after this point Joyce begins to portray a darker side to story and we are told of the boy's frustration when his uncle is late. We are told of how ‘the boy did not smile’ when his uncle apologizes for being late. Eventually however, the boy sets off for Araby feeling intense anticipation. Joyce describes the train journey as being ‘slow moving’ and ‘creeping’ creating an ominous sense of frustration. When the boy arrives at his destination Joyce uses the word ‘magical’ to convey a sense of excitement and
Joyce was a writer of many stories and another of which he had written includes that of ‘Eveline’ a story written to portray an unfulfilled life. This story begins in a similar setting as Araby with, once again a life that is ‘gloomy’ and ‘trapped.’ The opening line is a strong one, ‘she sat at the window watching the evening invade the avenue.’ I am given the impression of the search for something better within her life. The word ‘invade’ gives the impression that the lady we see does not want the evening to come, Joyce perhaps cleverly hinting at something she dreads.

The writer tells us how she observes the life outside her window, signifying a sense of imprisonment and wistfulness. We are shown the reality of what the woman is reflecting on about her past, through the sentence ‘they all seemed to be rather happy then.’ We are given the impression that in the past this woman was a happier one and more content. However, the line ‘everything changes’ suggests she has been plunged from her happiness into a darker and more hostile world. The following sentence, ‘she was going to go away like the others, to leave her home.’ Reveals to me the beginning of the woman’s story and the dread she faces as she leaves her comfort. We are told of how she looks round her room, in case she never sees her things again. This