A Boy's Journey In Araby

In “Araby” a young boy narrator makes a journey to a bazaar in order to purchase a gift for his crush. The boy is so caught up in his feelings for her that he can barely speak to her when she engages him in conversation. Prior to his journey, he shows his childish side by reminiscing of playing with other children as well as showing signs that he is so entranced by his crush that he can barely focus on his school work. The boy confirms that his crush brings out his child-like foolishness when he says, “her name was like a summons to all my foolish blood” (258). At the end of his journey, he arrives at the bazaar, but is too late to be able to purchase a gift for his crush, as most of the shops have already closed for the night. According the Charles Ko, professor at the City …show more content…
The narrator describes his actions when he says, “I took my seat in a third-class carriage of a deserted train” (260). This description of the train ride is very intentional. Joyce intentionally places the boy on a train alone in order to show that the boy is gaining his independence, a key part of becoming an adult. As with anyone who transitions to adulthood, they must learn to be able to live independently. The entire ride to Araby the narrator “remained alone in the bare carriage,” (260) demonstrating that he is reaching the independence of adulthood.
After the narrator reaches Araby is when his coming of age is confirmed. As the narrator reaches the bazaar, he tries to enter through the child entrance but is denied. When the narrator states, “I could not find any sixpenny entrance,” (260) this demonstrates that his coming of age has been completed as he is then made to enter through the adult entrance. By entering through the adult entrance one can easily draw the conclusion that through his journey to age, this entrance has finally marked the milestone of completion to his