James Joyce

“Araby” and “Eveline”

1882-1941 Born in Dublin,

Ireland Writer of great

importance First major work is

Dubliners

James Joyce

James Joyce

Published in 1914 Collection of short

stories about life in Dublin

Includes “Araby” and “Eveline”

James Joyce

Major Themes Paralysis Isolation Poverty Longing for Escape Religion Epiphany

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 another class)

“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 another class)

“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 1914. This setting further exemplifies the poverty of the boy. (from another class)

“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 another class)

“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 another class)

“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 another class)

“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 another class)

“Araby”

“Araby”

Another symbol: Araby

“’If I go,’ I said, ‘I will bring you something.’”

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. (from another class)

“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. (from another class)

“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”

“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.”

“Araby”

Questions?

“Araby”

“Eveline”

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

1. How would you describe Eveline as a character? What word or words describe her well? Why?

Depressing, confused, and guilty describe her because she feels like she had a duty to stay home due to her promise to her mom when she died. (from DJTJ Group)

“Eveline”

1. How would you describe Eveline as a character? What word or words describe her well? Why?

Eveline is a very responsible character. The statement, “she always gave her entire wages” shows her feeling of obligation to provide for her family. She is also very indecisive as “she prayed to God to direct her, to show her what was her duty.” (from CPBB)

“Eveline”

1. How would you describe Eveline as a character? What word or words describe her well? Why?

She seems reliant on others for what her life will be like. She seems indecisive and rigid because she cannot chose between the old rituals of her old life and the unknown. (from Authors of Insanity)

“Eveline”

2. How would you describe the setting, or the environment, of the story? What does this setting contribute to the story?

Gloomy and violent describe the setting of the story because of her violent father. (from DJTJ Group)

“Eveline”

2. How would you describe the setting, or the environment, of the story? What does this setting contribute to the story?

The environment of the story is melancholy. Her father was abusive, and she had to contribute a lot just so the family could get by. Eveline thinks that she deserves to be loved, and this leads to her yearning to want to leave with the sailor. She also has a connection to the house because of everything she and her mother endured there. (from CPBB)

“Eveline”

2. How would you describe the setting, or the environment, of the story? What does this setting contribute to the story?

The environment Eveline lives in is bleak, but the ocean seems to promise freedom and the unknown. (from Authors of Insanity)

“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?

Frank symbolizes a new life because he’s the exact opposite of her father bringing in comfort and joy. (from DJTJ Group)

“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?

“Her head was leaned against the window curtains and in her nostrils was the odour of dusty cretonne. She was tired.” The fact that her head is leaning is leaning against the window curtains suggests deep thought and pure exhaustion. This exhaustion is perhaps due to her restless thinking on the situation at hand. The odour bothers her and brings her back to reality throughout this thinking. (from CPBB)

“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 ship that Eveline was supposed to leave on symbolizes freedom from her old life and promises of a new beginning. When Eveline chooses not to leave on the ship, she condemns herself to live an unfulfilled life. (from Authors of Insanity)

“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 still feel guilty even when they’re changing their life for the better. (from TJDJ Group)

“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 are connected to certain things in life such as an old home, even when the memories aren’t good. (from CPBB)

“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’s decisions can influence how their entire lives turn out. (from Authors of Insanity)

“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!

“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”

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”

Questions?

“Eveline”