Paper Abstract
A 5 page essay that considers the meaning and interpretation of this famous short story. The standard interpretation of James Joyce's short story "Araby" is that it is a coming-of-age narrative that recounts a young romantic boy's first bitter encounter with reality, as he realizes the fickle nature of women. However, as Frank Coulthard points out, there is another way of viewing this story. This interpretation argues that the true protagonist of the tale is not the romantic boy, but rather the older, embittered adult narrator who is relating this story. Considering this interpretation, Coulthard argues that the point is not that reality is tough, but rather that the repressive nature of the Dublin culture causes the boy to not only judge his hopes as foolish, but sinful (97). The writer argues this perspective. Bibliography lists 3 sources.
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