1981 Ap English Essay On Araby

In many literary works, there are allusions to myths, the bible, or other literary works. One such work is Araby by James Joyce, which contains biblical allusions. His story is narrated by a young boy of about twelve or thirteen, and it depicts his personal coming of age. Joyce's use of first person narration lets the reader be as innocent and wistful as the boy is, leading up to the incredible intensity of the boy's eventual realization.

Joyce references the book of Genesis, in Araby. He describes "The wild garden behind the house contained a central apple-tree." This is a clear reference to the Garden of Eden, which is a parallel to a well known fall from grace, as the boy will soon experience. There is also an allusion to the story of Adam and Eve. When Mangan's sister talks to the boy for the first time, she asks him if he is going to Araby, which seduces the boy, for he forgets what he told her. This is just as Eve invited Adam to eat the forbidden fruit from the tree of knowledge. There is even allusion to her holding of the spike, which can be linked to the devil, and it is known that the devil was working with Eve, to eat the apple. There is also the street he lives on, he describes as blind, which Adam and Eve were blind to the truth, until they ate the forbidden fruit.

The girl is also alluded to be the Virgin Mary. "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." This appears to be more than just an adolescent crush, but something more. He describes her when the light falls on her, that it appears that there is a halo around her. There is more allusion when his aunt suggests that he "put off the bazaar for this night of our lord." This night being Saturday, when the service is, that is dedicated

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