Irony is a form of speech in which the real meaning is concealed or contradicted by the words used. Irony involves the perception that things are not what they are said to be or what they seem. Christian symbolism is the use of actions or objects to represent the truths of the Christian faith, either as a reminder of those truths or as a way of spiritually connecting with the underlying truth or act. James Joyce uses both of these literary devices to help the reader see what the boy is going though in the short story "Araby." James Joyce's ironic narration of "Araby" deals with the central symbol of the church.

Joyce's "Araby" is narrated ironically. The story is told from the viewpoint of a young boy, but the narration gives the impression that a mature man of greater experience tells the story instead. An ironic view...