1. James Joyce
“Araby” and “Eveline”

2. James Joyce 1882-1941 Born in Dublin, Ireland
Writer of great importance
First major work is Dubliners

3. James Joyce Published in 1914
Collection of short stories about life in Dublin
Includes “Araby” and “Eveline”

4. James Joyce Major Themes Paralysis Isolation Poverty
Longing for Escape
Religion
Epiphany

5. “Araby”
1. How would you describe the narrator as a character? What word or words describe him well? Why?
He is a shy person more of a wall flower. He doesn’t really have any friends […]. He pays attention to detail. He’s a young boy who has been smitten by a girl. (from GB’s Rubber Soul)

6. “Araby”
1. How would you describe the narrator as a character? What word or words describe him well? Why?
The narrator can be described as young and inexperienced. You can tell that he is still immature and especially with the topic of love. He comes off as foolish because he feels that he is in love with a girl while barely knowing her. (from JNBL)

7. “Araby”
2. How would you describe the setting, or the environment, of the story? What does this setting contribute to the story?
The setting of the story is based in Dublin around the time of This setting further exemplifies the poverty of the boy. (from Antiuniformitarianism)

8. “Araby”
2. How would you describe the setting, or the environment, of the story? What does this setting contribute to the story?
It seems eerie. It’s very quiet and dull not much goes on. People are more to themselves. Saturday night is really the only night people seem to come out and the town is very busy. (from GB’s Rubber Soul)

9. “Araby”
2. How would you describe the setting, or the environment, of the story? What does this setting contribute to the story?
It is very dark throughout most of the story, and winter is moving in. It takes place mostly on North Richmond Street, and some at the bazaar of Araby. (from JNBL)

10. “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?
The examples of darkness are symbolic throughout the story. There are many descriptions of darkness and shadows both literally and figuratively. Winter and nighttime are symbolic for the unhappy life that he is living. […] (from JNBL)

11. “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?
The girl is a symbol. She is what the young boy wants. He wants a life like hers. […] To him she is happiness and what he looks forward to everyday. (from GB’s Rubber Soul )

12. “Araby” Another symbol: Araby
“’If I go,’ I said, ‘I will bring you something.’”

13. “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 are willing to go to great lengths for feelings and having all of their progress crushed due to truth. (Antiuniformitarianism)

14. “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 can put so much effort into something that may never happen. (GB’s Rubber Soul)

15. “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? ?

16. “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.”

17. “Araby”
“While she spoke she turned a silver bracelet round and round her wrist. She could not go, she said, because there would be a retreat that week in her convent. Her brother and two other boys were fighting for their caps, and I was alone at the railings. She held one of the spikes, bowing her head towards me. The light from the lamp opposite our door caught the white curve of her neck, lit up her hair that rested there and, falling, lit up the hand upon the railing. It fell over one side of her dress and caught the white border of a petticoat, just visible as she stood at ease.”

18. “Araby”
Questions?

19. “Eveline”
“She sat at the window watching the evening invade the avenue.”

20. “Eveline”
1. How would you describe Eveline as a character? What word or words describe her well? Why?
She was a caring young woman, curious about what her alternate life would be like if she ran away with the sailor. Trapped is a word that describes her because she feels bound to her father because she promised her mother she would not leave him. (from Cobras)

21. “Eveline”
1. How would you describe Eveline as a character? What word or words describe her well? Why?
Helpless, trapped, yet loyal because she stayed to keep her promise that she made to her mom before her mother died. (from Warthog)

22. “Eveline”
1. How would you describe Eveline as a character? What word or words describe her well? Why?
Hopeful describes Eveline because she hopes she doesn’t end up like her mom. She hopes she doesn’t marry a man like her father. (from Porange)

23. “Eveline”
1. How would you describe Eveline as a character? What word or words describe her well? Why?
Obedient because she made a promise to her mother that she would look after the household and two younger children as long as she could. Hard-working because she works a job, cleans the household, and looks after the children and her father. She makes sure there is food on the table. Adventurous because she describes how as a young child she played in the field next to their house and is in love with a sailor. […] (from Bad Spelling)

24. “Eveline”
2. How would you describe the setting, or the environment, of the story? What does this setting contribute to the story?
The story takes place during nightfall. This attributes to the setting of the story because it’s a bit gloomy. (from Cobras)

25. “Eveline”
2. How would you describe the setting, or the environment, of the story? What does this setting contribute to the story?
The story is written in 1914 which was a time period where families stayed together no matter how dysfunctional and were very private. The story takes place in a bad neighborhood that none of us would like to live in. The story moves from her house, to a boating dock, to the station at the North Wall. (from Warthog)

26. “Eveline”
2. How would you describe the setting, or the environment, of the story? What does this setting contribute to the story?
The situation and environment of the story is constantly described as gloomy and depressing (from Bad Spelling)

27. “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?
The field that she used to play in is a symbol of the better times in her life. This is when her mother was still alive, her family still united, and her father was less abusive. Now that the field is gone, so are the happy times. (from Warthog)

28. “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?
The familiar objects that she dusted off symbolize that she doesn’t want to be alone. (from Porange)

29. “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?
The curtains symbolize how she rarely leaves the house because they are always drawn implying she is shut out and doesn’t have much interaction with the outside world. Also, from how she talks about her father it is implied that he is abusive so the curtains could be hiding her fathers action inside the home. (from Bad Spelling)

30. “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 can choose to think about the wellbeing of others before themselves. It also teaches us that it is important to always keep your promises. (from Cobras)

31. “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 sacrifice their own happiness to keep promises they made to their loved ones. (from Warthog)

32. “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 always second guess themselves. (from Bad Spelling)

33. “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? ?

34. “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.”

35. “Eveline”
Look Carefully at the Details! “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.”

36. “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.”

37. “Eveline”
Questions?