Araby, By James Joyce (1914)

Araby, By James Joyce (1914)

Rate: 7/10


I mostly enjoyed the part when the boy was disappointed.

What he felt is the feeling every person faces at least once in their life, in that cruel moment when you realize life might actually not be as beautiful as we expected it to be.

However, I believe the theme of this story is growing up, not disappointment. What he experienced was not just a tragic moment, but a lesson. He has entered the real world, which was what he so desperately curious about during his younger days. He will soon learn to accept it and be a part of it. 

I think Joyce did a great job describing such experiences, about how the simple plans going wrong leads to the whole situation tuning sour. It was also very realistic how the incident is not really a big deal in a macro, grown up point of view, but had a big affect on the young boy.

Still, I'm a bit sad that Joyce presented growing up as a disappointing thing. I think the story might have been better if there was a hint of a hope or a new chance.

Thus, I rated this story seven out of ten.

(199 words)

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"Araby" and stage 4 of the hero's journey

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