Araby
After a close examination of the short story "Araby" by James Joyce, several instances of religious symbolism seem to be intertwined throughout the story. The story unfolds from the viewpoint of a young child while simultaneously raising moral questions representative of a much more mature Joyce. This enlightened perspective allows for some very intricate examples of symbolism. Although the symbolism can be observed on two very different levels, the primary goal of this essay shall be to explore the symbolism as seen through the eyes of Joyce as an adult. This symbolism is painted with religious overtones that evidently stem from Joyce's adolescence. Through the use of symbolism, James Joyce raises many questions concerning his childhood, while also telling the story of a young boy's journey from romance to despair and disillusionment brought about by a young girl's unintentional taunts. "Araby", in its simplest form is the story of a young boy's first experience concerning infatuation with the opposite sex. Although, lurking under this inconspicuous facade are questions that plagued Joyce throughout his life. These questions primarily concern Joyce's rearing in Catholicism and the beliefs the church enco
The next example of downfalls the boy associates with religion are the possessions left by the priest. A few yellowed books, donations to institutions, furniture, and a rusty bicycle pump, represent all that the priest left on earth with one special exception: no evidence of a spiritual legacy remains. The central theme associated with what the priest has left behind is that all the items have rusted or in some way have been tarnished. The decay of the priest's possessions raises another important religious question: Is religion in fact the real possession that is everlasting? This uncertainty further confuses the boy and fuels his desires to seek the light in his world of darkness. uraged in opposition to his true feelings. This moral dilemma is expressed through symbolism that occurs in several interactions between the story's central character and the world around him. In the opening line of the story, Joyce describes the street he lives on as "being blind"(Vesterman 7). This lack of sight indicates that the street is a dead end. He goes on to describe the houses occupying its sides as "gazed(ing) at one another with brown imperturbable faces"(Vesterman 7). These houses reflect the attitudes of their inhabitants, who seem satisfied and content with their lives. The unchanging people seem as though they are strictly catholic and extremely set in their ways. These people represent everything that the boy questions because, naturally, he is apprehensive in accepting completely the lifestyle that these people exhibit. After all, there must be a world beyond North Richmond Street. The young boy goes on to say, "Her dress swung as she moved her body and the soft rope of her hair tossed from side to side." He relates their participation in the daily ritual of "lay(ing) on the floor in the front parlor watching her door"(Vesterman 7-8), further elaborating, "When she came out on the front doorst
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Approximate Word count = 1286
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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