Time:
* Childhood and the Passage of Time: The story is told from the perspective of a young boy, capturing a specific moment in his childhood. The boy's intense feelings, his longing for the girl, and his naive view of the world are all shaped by the unique experience of childhood. As the story progresses, the boy becomes acutely aware of the passage of time, particularly as he waits for the bazaar to open and then realizes that he's missed his chance.
* The Fleeting Nature of Dreams: The boy's anticipation of Araby is a dream-like state. The journey to the bazaar is imbued with a sense of magical expectation. However, the reality of the bazaar, which is mundane and disappointing, serves as a stark contrast to the idealized version in his mind. This highlights the ephemeral nature of youthful dreams.
* The Significance of the "Dead" Moment: The story ends with the boy standing alone in the deserted bazaar, realizing that he is "a creature driven and derided by vanity" and "a creature of whom nothing is asked or expected." This moment marks a turning point in his life, signifying a loss of innocence and the beginning of a disillusioned awareness of the world.
Memory:
* The Shaping of the Past: The narrator's memory is crucial to the story. He looks back at the events of his childhood, recalling his feelings and experiences. The story is filtered through the lens of memory, creating a subjective and evocative narrative.
* The Power of Nostalgia: The story is infused with a strong sense of nostalgia for the boy's lost childhood. The girl, the neighborhood, and the anticipation of the bazaar all hold a nostalgic significance for him. This yearning for the past underscores the theme of lost innocence.
* The Significance of the "Epiphany": The moment of realization at the end of the story is a "epiphany" for the boy. He experiences a sudden and profound understanding of his situation, his actions, and his own flawed nature. This epiphany is crystallized through the act of recalling the events and drawing meaning from them.
Interplay of Time and Memory:
* The Blurring of Past and Present: The narrative voice, with its nostalgic tone, blends the past and present. The boy's present-day recollection of events allows him to reflect upon his past with a newfound understanding.
* The Significance of the "Lost" Time: The boy's missed opportunity at Araby represents a loss of innocence and the irretrievability of time. This lost time becomes a poignant symbol of the fleeting nature of youth and dreams.
Conclusion:
In "Araby," time and memory are intertwined to create a moving and insightful portrait of childhood, innocence, and the inevitable passage of time. The boy's journey through time and his reflection upon his memories lead him to a painful but necessary awakening, marking the end of one stage in his life and the beginning of another.