Michael Kalamchi and Lindsay Merhege
Araby Short Story Analysis
3 May 2011
1. How important is this writer in the history of British literature? Why? What is the most interesting thing you learned about him her?
Considered to be one of the most influential writers to produce literary works during the modernist avantgard in the early 20th century. He is best known for his book Ulysses, which is a retelling of the Odyssey, which uses almost every literary device available and perfects his stream of consciousness technique. Many writers and scholars scrutinize his work but his influence on literature has left a great legacy. The most interesting fact is that he is Ireland’s Modern writer.
2. What stands out most about this story? Its subject matter? Style? What are its most and least interesting aspects?
The way in which James Joyce creates an atmosphere completely filled with amazing description of everything in his life before we interact with a character. He goes to great lengths to describe how his day starts with thoughts and glances of the girl he loves, Mangan’s sister. The most interesting aspect is how Joyce combines reality and everyday life with his fantasies and dreams of being with the women he lusts. The descriptive aspect drag on and create a monotonous tone, which we become very bored with quickly.
3. These stories are, with only one exception, set outside England: Ireland, Canada, India (Kashmir), New Zealand, South Africa, the British West Indies. They also take place in times other than the present-day English-speaking world. What is the importance of the setting of your story?
The setting is very relatable, the neighborhood theme is one that everyone can think of. He does not place the story in some far off exotic location that many people would never hear of. Also the fact that this story deals with the admiration of a crush is also relatable as this is something everyone has experienced at one point in their life or another.
4. What are three important sentences of brief passages from the story? Why are they important?
“Gazing up into the darkness I saw myself as a creature driven and derided by vanity; and my eyes burned with anguish and anger.”
The last lines of the story are the most important because they explain the whole point of the story. Joyce set out to write this story to show that everyone is driven by vanity and that is does not always lead you to happiness or wanted endings.
