A narrative discourse analysis of analyzing James Joyce’s “Araby” through narrative discourse on multiple levels

Abstract

This article employs narrative discourse analysis to analyze James Joyce’s short story “Araby” by using two narrative analysis frameworks that focus on the macrostructure and microstructure aspects of the story. The analysis covers the story’s purpose, generic structure, and lexico-grammatical cohesion. The writer follows a series of structural moves and uses a variety of narrative strategies (e.g., a high level of involvement and a wide range of lexical and grammatical cohesive ties), which contribute to the creation of a well-formed text that has effectively achieved its purpose and made its intended effect. This macro-structural analysis sheds light on the story’s thematic elements, character development, and overall narrative trajectory, providing a deeper understanding of its intended message and impact. The article unveils Joyce’s underlying linguistic mechanisms to convey meaning and evoke emotion within the narrative. By exploring the story’s purpose, structure, and linguistic nuances, the analysis offers valuable insights into Joyce’s narrative techniques and the profound impact of “Araby” as a well-formed literary text. This analysis of James Joyce’s “Araby” through narrative discourse analysis offers valuable insights that can be applied in the classroom to enrich student engagement with literature.