“Araby” and “Eveline”
James Joyce

 1882-1941
 Born in Dublin,
Ireland
 Writer of great
importance
 First major work is
Dubliners
James Joyce

 Published in 1914
 Collection of
short stories
about life in
Dublin
 Includes “Araby”
and “Eveline”
James Joyce

Major Themes
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Paralysis
Isolation
Poverty
Longing for Escape
Religion
Epiphany
“Araby”

1. How would you describe the narrator as a character?
What word or words describe him well? Why?
from Tracy:
He is at an age of transition into adulthood based on
what he is experiencing. He experiences feelings of
infatuation making him confused because he does not
know how to handle what he is feeling.
“Araby”

1. How would you describe the narrator as a character?
What word or words describe him well? Why?
from Banarama
The narrator is shy as he sees the girl every day, but
doesn’t talk to her. The narrator is also sensitive as he
describes very poetically how the girl makes him
emotional to the point of having the narrator in tears. .
“Araby”

1. How would you describe the narrator as a character?
What word or words describe him well? Why?
from Working Alone
Somewhat obsessive, and confused. Why? Because in the
beginning it’s stated that “Every morning I lay on the floor in
the front parlour watching her door.” And goes on to say
how he rushes outside to follow behind her to pass her by
before they part ways. He doesn’t really understand why
he’s feeling what he’s feeling for this woman.
“Araby”

2. How would you describe the setting, or the
environment, of the story? What does this setting
contribute to the story?
from Tracy
The setting seems depressing from the short days of
winter and the location of the homes on the blind street
that are dreary. This contributes to the story because it
brings to life the imagination of a young boy who is
experiencing a new found feeling of adulthood.
“Araby”

2. How would you describe the setting, or the
environment, of the story? What does this setting
contribute to the story?
from Team
It is set in a very religious community. He feels he
should not think of the girl so much due to his religious
beliefs.
“Araby”

3. Identify at least one thing in the story that you think
might be symbolic, that is, something that seems to
have more meaning than what it literally is. What
might this symbolism contribute to the story?
from Santa’s Elves
The darkness. The darkness is all around the narrator in
the story. He can never seem to have a happy day. All
of his life is just sadness and anger.
“Araby”

3. Identify at least one thing in the story that you think
might be symbolic, that is, something that seems to
have more meaning than what it literally is. What
might this symbolism contribute to the story?
from Banarama and a team with no name
The bazaar might symbolize an opportunity for the
narrator to show his affection towards the girl.
(Banarama)
“Araby”

“’If I go,’ I said, ‘I
will bring you
something.’”
“Araby”

5. Finish the sentence below to express what you think
is a good one-sentence summary of the main theme (or
the comment about life) that we should get from the
story “Araby.”
James Joyce’s “Araby” shows us how people …
“Araby”

6. If you write an essay on this story, what would be
three or four good topics for the body paragraphs of the
essay?
“Araby”

Look Carefully at the Details!
“North Richmond Street, being blind, was a
quiet street except at the hour when the
Christian Brothers’ School set the boys free.”
“Araby”

What passages did you identify as being
important?
“Araby”
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“These noises converged in a single sensation of life for me: I
imagined that I bore my chalice safely through a throng of
foes. Her name sprang to my lips at moments in strange
prayers and praises which I myself did not understand. My
eyes were often full of tears (I could not tell why) and at
times a flood from my heart seemed to pour itself out into
my bosom. I thought little of the future. I did not know
whether I would ever speak to her or not or, if I spoke to her,
how I could tell her of my confused adoration. But my body
was like a harp and her words and gestures were like fingers
running upon the wires.”
“Araby”

“Gazing up into the darkness I saw myself as a creature
driven and derided by vanity; and my eyes burned
with anguish and anger.”
“Araby”

Questions?
“Eveline”

“She sat at the
window watching
the evening invade
the avenue.”
“Eveline”

1. How would you describe Eveline as a character?
What word or words describe her well? Why?
from I Don’t Know
Eveline seems to be shy and [quiet]. Very alone,
because everyone has left her, her mother, her friends,
her brothers and the love and kindness that her father
had for her.
“Eveline”
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1. How would you describe Eveline as a character?
What word or words describe her well? Why?
from Awesome
Evelyn is conflicted, indecisive, and anxious. She is also
thoughtful because even though she is abused by her
father, she still does not want to desert him. Her anxiety
and indecisiveness is demonstrated by her torn
affections between her familiar life and the chance of
beginning a new one.
“Eveline”

2. How would you describe the setting, or the
environment, of the story? What does this setting
contribute to the story?
from a team with no name
It was late evening and Eveline was leaning against the
window looking out to where she grew up. Going
through flashbacks of her childhood and how much her
life was going to change once she left.
“Eveline”

2. How would you describe the setting, or the environment,
of the story? What does this setting contribute to the story?
from One Woman Show
The setting of the story begins in Eveline’s home, but
specifically a window. She is looking out the window to the
outside world of people passing below. The room and
objects in it are covered in dust, along with a yellowing
photograph hung on the wall of a priest of whom she does
not know. The setting sets a feeling of abandonment.
Perhaps she had given up on cleaning the house because her
father is older and incapable.
“Eveline”

3. Identify at least one thing in the story that you think might
be symbolic, that is, something that seems to have more
meaning than what it literally is. What might this symbolism
contribute to the story?
from M.F.B.S. and others
When Eveline is thinking about the field that she and the
other town kids played in, when it was turned to cold brick
buildings she and her brothers lost a place to get away from
their abusive father, and now that it is no longer an empty
field to play in she no longer feels like she belongs.
“Eveline”

3. Identify at least one thing in the story that you think might
be symbolic, that is, something that seems to have more
meaning than what it literally is. What might this symbolism
contribute to the story?
from Team America
Dust is symbolic of the past. This contributes the idea of the
stagnation of Eveline’s life to the story.
“Eveline”

3. Identify at least one thing in the story that you think might
be symbolic, that is, something that seems to have more
meaning than what it literally is. What might this symbolism
contribute to the story?
from a team with no name and others
I think this Frank character could be considered a symbol.
He is Eveline’s freedom, her chance to start her own new,
wonderful life. He is her escape from her abusive father and
the dead spirits of her family that linger still. He could be
everything she ever wanted.
“Eveline”

5. Finish the sentence below to express what you think
is a good one-sentence summary of the main theme (or
the comment about life) that we should get from the
story “Eveline.”
James Joyce’s “Eveline” shows us how people …
“Eveline”

6. If you write an essay on this story, what would be
three or four good topics for the body paragraphs of the
essay?
“Eveline”

Look Carefully at the Details!
“She sat at the window watching the evening
invade the avenue. Her head was leaned
against the window curtains and in her nostrils
was the odour of dusty cretonne. She was
tired.”
“Eveline”

Look Carefully at the Details!
“She felt her cheek pale and cold and, out of a
maze of distress, she prayed to God to direct
her, to show her what was her duty.”
“Eveline”

What passages did you identify as being
important?
“Eveline”
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“She stood up in a sudden impulse of terror. Escape!
She must escape! Frank would save her. He would give
her life, perhaps love, too. But she wanted to live. Why
should she be unhappy? She had a right to happiness.
Frank would take her in his arms, fold her in his arms.
He would save her.”
“Eveline”
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“Her time was running out but she continued to sit by
the window, leaning her head against the window
curtain, inhaling the odour of dusty cretonne.”
“Eveline”
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“He rushed beyond the barrier and called to her to
follow. He was shouted at to go on but he still called to
her. She set her white face to him, passive, like a
helpless animal. Her eyes gave him no sign of love or
farewell or recognition.”
“Eveline”

Questions?