Which of the following events happens first in the story?
a. The boy is disappointed by the bazaar.
b. The boy promises to buy Mangan’s sister a gift.
c. The boy’s uncle arrives home late.
d. Mangan’s sister speaks to the boy.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is d. Mangan’s sister speaks to the boy.
In the story “Araby” by James Joyce, the events unfold in a way that highlights the boy’s growing infatuation with Mangan’s sister and his disillusionment as he experiences the bazaar. The key to answering this question lies in understanding the order in which the events in the story take place.
Explanation:
- Mangan’s sister speaks to the boy: Early in the story, the boy is infatuated with Mangan’s sister but has not yet spoken to her. His attraction to her grows as he observes her from afar. The pivotal moment when Mangan’s sister speaks to the boy occurs when she asks him if he is going to the bazaar. This moment serves as the starting point for the boy’s journey, both physically to the bazaar and emotionally in terms of his developing desire to buy her a gift. This is the first significant event that propels the boy into the action of the story.
- The boy promises to buy Mangan’s sister a gift: After Mangan’s sister speaks to him, the boy makes a promise to buy her a gift at the bazaar. This event comes shortly after their conversation, but it occurs after she first engages with him.
- The boy’s uncle arrives home late: The boy’s uncle, who is supposed to provide him with the money for the bazaar, arrives late and seems disinterested when the boy expresses his eagerness. This event happens later in the story and adds to the boy’s sense of frustration and disappointment.
- The boy is disappointed by the bazaar: The boy’s ultimate disappointment comes after he reaches the bazaar, finding it far less magical and exciting than he had imagined. This is the final event in the story, marking the boy’s loss of innocence.
Thus, the first event in the story is Mangan’s sister speaking to the boy, setting the stage for everything that follows.