lierature

p literature "Araby " FINAL Literature "Araby (draft James Joyce 's "Araby " reflects a coming of age story told through reminiscence . This narrative synthesis of memory and experience allows for a powerful probing of themes of initiation and adolescence as well as themes of nostalgia and spirituality . Joyce 's brilliant use of inference , rather than direct exposition , throughout the story adds to the believability of the narrator 's arc of development , while also evoking a sense of the living past which excites emotion in the reader The central theme of innocence versus

experience in "Araby " evolves out of the multi-textured narrative and avails itself of the narrative 's dualistic vision of time to contrast dramatic oppositions of subjective experience , all occurring within the same psyche

The essential innocence of the narrator as an adolescent is demonstrated by his numerous romantic projections : first and foremost upon the young girl , Mangan , to whom his very soul seems destined Mangan becomes something of a Virgin Mary figure , but one which conforms as much to the adolescent longings of a young boy as to the dogma of the Church "Her name sprang to my lips at moments in strange prayers and praises which I myself did not understand . My eyes were often full of tears (I could not tell why ) and at times a flood from my heart seemed to pour itself out into my bosom (Joyce

The narrator holds Mangan as a sacred vision : he waits for her appearance , but dares not to speak to her . He dreams of her until his heart seems to burst with longing and at last , he enters a spontaneous ritual of adoration "Some distant lamp or lighted window gleamed below me . I was thankful that I could see so little . All my senses seemed to desire to veil themselves and ,feeling that I was about to slip from them , I pressed the palms of my hands together until they trembled murmuring 'O love ! O love ' many times (Joyce

Literature "Araby page -2-

The narrator 's youthful innocence allows him to view his world in simplified , heroic terms . Rather than being subjugated to the menial chores and devotions of his daily life , he is given a sacred quest when Mangan at least speaks to him . Their conversation , quite ordinary in reality , is transformed to a heroic geas in the mind of the youthful narrator . In this way , it becomes apparent to the dutiful reader that Mangan represents something quite worthy of religious devotion for a restless young boy . She represents his freedom from boredom obligation , and normalcy . In a larger sense she represents the narrator 's youthful rebellion against religious orthodoxy . By elevating his feelings for Mangan to a religious zeal he is in effect substituting a matriarchal for a patriarchal godhood "What innumerable follies laid waste my waking and sleeping thoughts after that evening ! I wished to annihilate the tedious intervening days . I chafed against the work of school . At night in my bedroom and by day in the...