Dubliners
"The Encounter" is a story based on perception versus knowledge. In contrast, "Araby" is based on imaginary relationships and learning to see things. The main character does not see the world for what it is because of his perceptions. The moment of epiphany for the boy in "The Encounter" is when he realizes that he is coward. For the boy in "Araby" his moment of epiphany is when he realizes that his reality is just a fantasy, and what he sees it's what he doesn't know how to do. He viewed himself as a loser. In James Joyce's stories "The Encounter" and "Araby" the main characters are faced with the painful revelation of their own immaturity and narcissistic behavior, which then changed how they viewed themselves as adults. For example in "The Encounter" the boy is portrayed as a naive inexperienced, arrogant possible twelve-year-old. The moment he and his friend "Mahony" embark on an adventure, they were faced with the unexpected encounter with an old man. This man was potentially dangerous; possibly a child molester. When the old man introduced himself to the boys, he mentioned that he had read some books. Since the boy was interested in what the adult had to say, he wanted to impress him, and be lik
When most shops are closed, he finds one that was still open. He is paralyzed when he finds himself in danger, and later realizes he is not as strong and courageous as he thought he was. Therefore, his mission to purchase a gift for his beloved fantasy girl is shattered. He is obsessed with a girl down the street. His epiphany happens when he needs his friend Mahony to come rescue him. ed "I pretended that I had read every book he mentioned so that in the end he said: "Ah, I can see you are a book worm like myself. " (Joyce 16) He has an imaginary relationship with her. Instead, his own vanity, and his obsessive quest to impress his imaginary girlfriend dominated him. The boy is very close-minded and narcissistic, and only sees the world that is more convenient for him. The old man made some remarks that made the boy feel threatened, since he did not have a lot of experience, and was not perceptive that something wrong was going on he just listened. She stated that she was not able to go, but asked him if he was going to Araby for the bazaar (festival/flea market) he responded " If I go, I said, "I will b!ring you something. What he sees is what he does not know how to do, which is in order to develop a relationship he should have been courageous enough to approach the girl first, and be friends first, prior to assuming he was in a relationship with her. He failed to see reality versus fantasy.
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