Which of the following contribute to the development of the narrator's character in Joyce's 'Araby'?

The narrator's physical appearance
Descriptions of the narrator's surroundings
The narrator's inner thoughts and feelings
The narrator's age and family background
Dialogues between the narrator and other characters
The narrator's career and profession

1 answer

In James Joyce's "Araby," several aspects contribute to the development of the narrator's character. Here’s how each option you provided plays a role:

  1. The narrator's physical appearance: This is not a primary focus in the story; the narrator's physical appearance is not deeply explored, so it has little impact on character development.

  2. Descriptions of the narrator's surroundings: The surroundings play a significant role in shaping the narrator's experiences and emotions. The dreariness of his environment contributes to the themes of longing and disillusionment.

  3. The narrator's inner thoughts and feelings: This is crucial for character development. The narrator’s thoughts reveal his romantic ideals and eventual disappointment, illustrating his growth and emotional journey throughout the story.

  4. The narrator's age and family background: The narrator’s youth and the context of his family life significantly influence his perspective. His childhood naivety and the constraints of his home life impact his desires and motivations.

  5. Dialogues between the narrator and other characters: While dialogue provides some context and insight into relationships, it mainly reflects the narrator's thoughts and feelings rather than developing his character in depth.

  6. The narrator's career and profession: This is not applicable, as the narrator is a young boy and does not have a career or profession in the story.

In summary, the most significant contributors to the development of the narrator’s character in "Araby" are the narrator's inner thoughts and feelings, descriptions of the narrator's surroundings, and the narrator's age and family background.