"Araby" and "Barn Burning"-- A Comparison

Paper Summary:

This book review describes the theme shared by both "Barn Burning" and "Araby" about the conflict between a protagonists' inner conceptions of what the external world should be like, and the actual reality of their respective circumstances. The review includes a plot summary of both novels, with a focus on the theme of inner conflict. The reviewer concludes that each of these stories tells the tale of a young boy being introduced to adulthood by having his innermost conceptions of truth coming into conflict with the very real circumstances of his life.

From the Paper:

" In "Araby," the narrator becomes increasingly consumed by idealistic and romantic thoughts of Mangan's sister as the story progresses. There is a tumultuous mingling of the realities in the narrator's life, and the imaginary and exotic dreams that come to dominate his thoughts. Of course, this dangerous combination centers upon Mangan's sister; she represents both the exciting and the mundane. This is fundamentally because although she is a part of the ordinary atmosphere of northern Dublin, she remains something strange and somehow unattainable for the main character."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Faulkner, William. (2007). "Barn Burning." Northern Kentucky University. Available: http://www.nku.edu/~peers/barnburning.htm.
• Joyce, James. (1993). "Araby." From Dubliners, edited by Hans Walter Gabler with Walter Hettche. New York: Garland Publishing

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