Symbolism in "Araby"
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Colors are a form of nonverbal communication and as such are symbolic. For example, in Western culture, white signifies purity and light, while black signifies darkness, evil, and death. In literature, symbolism joins the story's external action to the theme. This use of symbolism holds true in James JoyceÆs short storyAraby where the use of color, particularly light and dark contribute to the theme and an understanding of the story. The plot of Araby centers on a 13-year old boyÆs experiences and awakening to the reality of his life, a life of literal and symbolic darkness with only two points of light. One is the boy and his playmates, children who are too young to have become downtrodden by the drabness of their environment and existence. The street they play on is lit by feeble lantern light, and they play ôtill our bodies glowedö (295). The second point of light is reflected in the girl of the boyÆs awakening sexual desire and romantic love. The boy lives with his aunt and uncle in a dreary, poor section of Dublin, and his environment is a key to his romantic nature, and his need to find some beauty and light in the drab world he inhabits. The story opens with a description of the dead end North Richmond Street where the boy lives, and the dark street is a symbol of the emotional dead end he lives in. The houses sit in ôdark, muddy lanesö surrounded by ôdark, dripping gardensö near ôdark, odorous stablesö (295). The setting is winter when the boyÆs neighborhood is
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Some common words found in the essay are:
Adjectives Joyce, James JoyceÆs, Richmond Street, , story boy, girl boyÆs, romantic notion girl, notion girl, romantic notion, darkness light, boy lives, everyday life, white border,
Approximate Word count = 1081
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page)
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