Question
Refer to Explorations in Literature for a complete version of this story.
In “Araby,” James Joyce uses many archetypal images: the innocent youth, the mysterious female, and the distracted adult.
How does the distracted adult affect the meaning of the story?
He creates tension in the story as the uncle who gets home late and forgets about the boy’s intentions.
He is an object of the main character’s affection as the bumbling uncle who likes to quote poetry.
He changes the outcome of the story by making the boy regret wanting to go the market in the first place.
In “Araby,” James Joyce uses many archetypal images: the innocent youth, the mysterious female, and the distracted adult.
How does the distracted adult affect the meaning of the story?
He creates tension in the story as the uncle who gets home late and forgets about the boy’s intentions.
He is an object of the main character’s affection as the bumbling uncle who likes to quote poetry.
He changes the outcome of the story by making the boy regret wanting to go the market in the first place.
Ask by Herrera Pritchard. in the United States
Dec 05,2024
Upstudy AI Solution
Tutor-Verified Answer
Answer
The distracted adult in “Araby” creates tension, becomes an object of the boy’s affection, and changes the story’s outcome, leading to the boy’s regret.
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Extra Insights
The distracted adult in “Araby,” represented by the boy’s uncle, plays a crucial role in amplifying the boy’s disillusionment. His careless behavior not only delays the boy’s plans but also symbolizes the adult world’s indifference to youthful dreams. This creates a sense of frustration, heightening the boy’s yearning for something more meaningful, which ultimately leads to the story’s poignant conclusion.
Furthermore, the uncle’s forgetfulness inadvertently reflects the adult struggles of life that overshadow the innocence of youth. In his casual attitude and poetics, there’s an ironic contrast to the boy’s intense, almost religious devotion to the mysterious girl. This juxtaposition emphasizes the theme of lost innocence and the harsh realities that await when youthful ideals meet adult negligence.
