Dubliners
"The Encounter" is a story based on perception versus knowledge. In contrast, "Araby" is based on imaginary relationships and learning to see things. The main character does not see the world for what it is because of his perceptions. The moment of epiphany for the boy in "The Encounter" is when he realizes that he is coward. For the boy in "Araby" his moment of epiphany is when he realizes that his reality is just a fantasy, and what he sees it's what he doesn't know how to do. He viewed himself as a loser. In James Joyce's stories "The Encounter" and "Araby" the main characters are faced with the painful revelation of their own immaturity and narcissistic behavior, which then changed how they viewed themselves as adults. For example in "The Encounter" the boy is portrayed as a naive inexperienced, arrogant possible twelve-year-old. The moment he and his friend "Mahony" embark on an adventure, they were faced with the unexpected encounter with an old man. This man was potentially dangerous; possibly a child molester. When the old man introduced himself to the boys, he mentioned that he had read some books. Since the boy was interested in what the adult had to say, he wanted to impress him, and be lik
no boy ever got in this world." (Joyce 14) All of a sudden he finds himself in trouble, and paralyzed because he thought the old man was about to harm him. His epiphany happens when he needs his friend Mahony to come rescue him. He realizes that he is coward, and feels remorse because he never really liked Mahony. ed "I pretended that I had read every book he mentioned so that in the end he said: "Ah, I can see you are a book worm like myself." (Joyce 12) The boy puts himself in a very vulnerable situation. The old man made some remarks that made the boy feel threatened, since he did not have a lot of experience, and was not perceptive that something wrong was going on he just listened. The old man stated "and if a boy had girl for a sweetheart and told lies about it then he would give him such a whipping as! ring you something." (Joyce 17) He does not think before words come out of his mouth. His vision is obscured because his fantasy is stronger. He arrives late to "Araby". Therefore, his mission to purchase a gift for his beloved fantasy girl is shattered. When most shops are closed, he finds one that was still open. He sees some splendid vases, and beautiful flowered tea-sets that he cannot afford. His epiphany happens when he finds himself so blinded by his imaginary relationship and love, that he fails to see the world for what it is. It was very difficult for him to accept his failure; this is established in the last two lines of Joyce's story. "Gazi
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 991
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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