Analyze James Joyce's "Araby" as a Story of Growing Up

James Joyce’s short story “Araby” is a powerful story of growing up that focuses on the emotional development of a young boy. Joyce presents childhood as a stage filled with dreams, imagination, and romantic illusion, while adulthood brings harsh reality and self-awareness. The story shows how the narrator moves from innocent idealism to painful understanding through his personal experience.

At the beginning of the story, the narrator lives in a world of romantic illusion. His attraction to Mangan’s sister is intense but unrealistic. He does not truly know her, yet he worships her like a sacred figure. Joyce uses religious and heroic imagery to describe the boy’s feelings, showing how his love is based more on imagination than reality. This emotional exaggeration reflects the innocence of youth.

The bazaar “Araby” becomes a symbol of the boy’s romantic dream. To him, it is an exotic and magical place far removed from the dull life of Dublin. When Mangan’s sister mentions the bazaar, the boy’s desire to bring her a gift turns his journey into a heroic quest. At this stage, he believes that his dream will surely be fulfilled.

However, the narrator’s dream slowly collapses as reality interferes. His uncle forgets to give him money, the journey is delayed, and the surroundings appear dark and lifeless. When he finally reaches the bazaar, it is nearly closed and disappointing. The ordinary behavior of the people there destroys the romantic image he had created in his mind.

In the final moment of the story, the narrator gains painful self-knowledge. He realizes that his romantic feelings were driven by illusion and vanity. His anger and shame mark his transition from childhood innocence to adult awareness. Thus, Joyce’s “Araby” presents growing up as a process of disillusionment, where maturity comes through the loss of dreams and the acceptance of harsh reality.