Mari Nerbovig Araby by James Joyces Araby is a tale of a young boy deluded by love told by James Joyce.

The content of the story makes it immediately relatable for the majority of readers, who have all experienced childhood crushes. Joyce narrates the tale in first person, making it seem more personal, and as if the reader is being told the story by the character himself. The main character remains unnamed, but is a religious child, as he attends a Christian school and his uncle is a devout Catholic. He also falls in love with a girl who is deeply involved in a covenant, a large commitment for any person. Araby delves deeply into the archetype of unrequited love, present in novels from Shakespeare all the way to nearly every young adult novel written today. The main character falls irrefutably in love with Mangans sister, who is described in euphemistic terms, with her dress [swinging] around her body and the soft rope of her hair [being tossed] side to side. The main character follows his obsession and become entirely consumed by it, removing himself to a drawing-room in which a priest had died and reciting O love! repeatedly. This leads him to his quest; the main character decides to go to the bazaar called Araby to return with a gift for Mangans sister who was unable to attend. The characters quest is difficult, as he is pressed for time due to an Uncle who seems to forget everything that is said. Yet the main character preservers with patience and succeeds, and gives readers the hope that he will be able to reach Araby and return to his princess with her gift. Yet the time passes quickly on his journey there, and by the time he reaches Araby nearly everything is closed. The main character continues his hunt for the perfect gift, but the owners of the remaining stalls seem uninterested in him and dismissive, only acknowledging him out of a sense of duty. The main character suddenly has an epiphany as the rest of the stores close and the lights begin to go out. He recognizes himself as someone driven and derided by vanity, recognizing that the Holy Grail he is searching for will not provide him with the things he truly desires. Yet this is not a peaceful resolution, the heartbroken young character ends his tale with his eyes burn[ing] with anguish and anger.