Disillusioned

“Araby” is about a boy’s obsession with a girl that he doesn’t stand a chance with.

Level One: Where does the story take place?
Level Two: What is the symbolism of chalice?
Level Three: What is Joyce trying to communicate to his reader?

While I enjoyed this story, it was very difficult to understand. The background notes on Joyce did help to clear up some of the muddy-ness but overall I had no real understanding of it. I did pick up on Joyce’s references to his troubled relationship with the Catholic Church. The dead priest represents the fact that the Church has died and is now stagnant. The chalice as a religious object holds the blood of Christ and is also the subject of an ancient quest. In this regard, the girl is just like the chalice. Another reference is made to the Tree of Knowledge with the apple tree in his backyard.
There is great significance to the fact that the boy lives on a dead end street. He knows his “quest” for the girl will ultimately end in failure, and realizes this toward the beginning of the story. Why he keeps pursuing her is beyond me, but I suppose there wouldn’t be a story to write if he didn’t. The boy goes to the bazaar and is thoroughly disappointed. The atmosphere is that of “a church after the service has concluded”, still and silent. It is nothing besides materialistic, and he can’t find a gift with which to woo the girl.