The way I see life, it boils down to two qualities, both controlled by the mentality of the observer. Perception is the way in which a person's life is interpreted. All situations, tangible objects--anything external, is subject to the interpretation of the senses. Construction is how the observer chooses to react to the stimulus their brain receives--what they make of their life. The narrator in the short story, Araby, by James Joyce is a grown man looking back on his childhood and through his recollection the reader is able to understand his misinterpretations.

Many people would interpret growing up in a Christian household with an Uncle who exemplifies work ethic as a healthy environment. The boy lives in a home owned previously by a priest, who sets an example to the world by leaving his possessions to institutions and family. These symbols would seem to set the boys life off in the right direction. Instead, the boy's perceptions of this life casts a shadow on this "clean" world.

Firstly, the boy perceives his world as a

dismal place. Whether this is true or not is not important. The houses on North Richmond Street where he lives, are described as being "blind", the people as being "calm", "detached" and "decent" and his life under a purple sky as being marred by the smells of ash-pits and stables. The streets are depicted as quiet and silent. There are straggling bushes and dark dripping gardens. It becomes clear that the boy does not appreciate the intentions of his superiors. Instead, the boy thirsts for something more fulfilling.

In a Christian upbringing, like the one he was subjected to, life is not extravagant or new. Life can be unsatisfying for those who seek more. The bazaar represents the culmination of the Eastern culture's exoticness and openness, the antithesis to his upbringing. "I had hardly any patience with the serious work of life which, now that it stood between me and my desire, seemed to me child's play, ugly, monotonous child's play."

Essentially, the boy discards his upbringing and that which he is supposed to be a part of in order to pursue his earthly

Some common words found in the essay are:
Richmond Street, James Joyce, Perception Construction, child's play,
Approximate Word count = 727
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)