James Joyces Araby and The Dead - Essay Example

In Araby, the corruptible nature of women is also depicted. The narrator, a young boy, believes that in order to get the attention and love of Mangan’s sister, he needs to buy her gifts. In addition, the stories show that women are servants of men. For instance, in The Dead, the story opens b showing that Lily helped the men remove their coats.

The two stories also depict women as symbols or figures of love and beauty. This is one aspect used by women to control men. In The Dead, Gabriel is attracted to Lily’s beauty, and this forces him to ask her about her love life. In addition, during the dance, Gabriel is attracted o his former love, Gretta. In both cases, the author shows that women can gain some form of control or influence over men through their beauty. In Araby, the narrator is attracted to Mangan’s sister to the extent that these feelings take control of him.

For instance, he says that the image of Mangan’s sister accompanies him to places most hostile to romance and her name sprang to his lips during times of prayers and praises. He literally followed her every morning to school. Read More