Question

North Richmond Street, being blind, was a quiet street except at the hour when the Christian Brothers’ School set the boys free. An uninhabited house of two storeys stood at the blind end, detached from its neighbours in a square ground. The other houses of the street, conscious of decent lives within them, gazed at one another with brown imperturbable faces.



"Araby" by James Joyce

Question
Use the passage to answer the question.

In 3-5 sentences, analyze how the author's word choice contributes to the author's tone.

(4 points)

Answer 1

James Joyce’s word choice in this passage establishes a tone of melancholy and introspection. The phrase "being blind" suggests a sense of isolation and a lack of direction, setting a somber mood for North Richmond Street. The description of the houses as having "brown imperturbable faces" conveys a sense of stoic indifference, further emphasizing the stagnant life of the neighborhood. The imagery of the "uninhabited house" at the end of the street reflects abandonment and longing, reinforcing the feeling of unfulfilled desire that pervades the narrative. Overall, these choices evoke a quiet sadness and a sense of entrapment in the lives of the characters.