Araby – by James Joyce Summary

Araby – by James Joyce Summary 

Setting

The story takes place in Dublin, Ireland, in the early 20th century. It is told through the eyes of a young unnamed boy who lives with his uncle and aunt.

The Boy’s Feelings

The boy is infatuated with his friend Mangan’s sister. He secretly watches her, follows her in the street, and thinks about her all the time. His feelings are innocent but intense, mixing childish imagination with the first stirrings of love.

The Bazaar Dream

One day, Mangan’s sister talks to him about a bazaar (market) called Araby, which she cannot attend because she has to go to a convent retreat. The boy sees this as a chance to impress her. He promises to go to the bazaar and bring her something as a gift. From that moment, the idea of Araby becomes almost magical to him—he imagines it as an exotic, romantic place far from dull Dublin.

The Delay

On the evening of the bazaar, the boy waits anxiously for his uncle to return home with money. His uncle forgets about it and comes late, slightly drunk. By the time the boy finally gets permission and some money, it is very late.

At Araby

He travels alone at night, full of excitement. But when he reaches Araby, it is nearly closing. Most stalls are shut, and the few that remain are ordinary. He overhears shopkeepers talking casually, and he realizes there is nothing magical about the bazaar—it is just another marketplace.

The Realization

In that moment, the boy understands the truth: his romantic hopes and dreams were illusions. He feels embarrassed and disappointed, angry at himself for being carried away by childish fantasies.