Short Stories From Echoes

Essay by buruzoth September 2006

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The "Other"

The two stories, "Araby" and "Going to The Moon", seem to have a common theme, fascination and fear of things different. From the opposite sex to distant places, these fascinations exist within all people. "Araby" is the story of a young boy's journey to a mystical bazaar known as Araby. "Going to The Moon" is the story of a young boy who feels "isolated and like an interloper in his world" and a dream of other worlds to be free of ridicule. The two characters mentioned above are prime examples of allure of the "other". In the upcoming paragraphs, will explain how each of these young boys is drawn to the "other".

First, in "Araby" there are two things that the boy is drawn to; the first thing is the mystical and mysterious bazaar called Araby. It was described by Mangan's sister to be a "splendid bazaar", which lead the boy to embark on his journey to the bazaar.

He was the only one on the special train to the bazaar. When he arrived there, the author described it to be "big tall" and compares it to a church. But he realizes that this place isn't as great as he thought it would be. The young boy is drawn to Araby because it is something out of the ordinary, the "other". It fascinated him but not all is as great as it seems.

The second item that the boy in "Araby" is drawn to is Mangan's sister. His love for her is the allure to the opposite sex. He cared for her in an almost religious love. "Her name sprang to my lips at moments in strange prayers and praises which I myself did not understand."...