Binary Opposition Relations of Characters in “Araby”

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Abstract “Araby” is a well-known short story written.According to Greimas’ theory，narratives contain six aspects which form three binary oppositions：Subject/Object，Sender/Receiver，and Helper/Opponent.In this thesis，the author will work out the binary opposition relations between the characters in “araby” based on A.J.Greimas’ “Actantial Model”.

Key Words James Joyce “Araby” A.J.Greimas binary opposition relations

This thesis aims at studying the relations of characters in “Araby” based on the approach of the structuralist A.J.Greimas’ theory.

1.A.J.Greimas’ Actantial Model

A.J.Greimas’ actantial model breaks an action down into six facets，or actants，which form three binary oppositons―Subject/Object，Sender/Receiver，Helper/Opponent.The subject is the actant in search for the object;the object is the person or things that subject searches for;the sender is the person or abstract power that more or less helps the subject or gives the subject a sense of values;while the receiver is the actant who receives the object.Lastly，the helper is the actant that brings help to the subject in search of the object;while the opponent is the actant that creates obstacles for the subject in the quest.（Hebert 187）

2.Binary Structure in “Araby”

There are several characters in “Araby” and each helps deliver the message that the author wants his readers to know.Applying the Actantial Model to “Araby”，“dream” is the object.As it is described in this short story，the boy is profoundly attracted by Mangan’s sister and in order to please his beloved girl and buys her something，he goes to Araby（the bazaar）on his own one evening，so there’s no doubt that the boy is the subject.

Before the boy goes to Araby，the boy’s dream is to pursue and protect the confused affection towards Mangan’s sister.In order to fulfill his dream，when Mangan’s sister comes out of the door to call her brothers to their tea，the boy would leave the shadow and watches the girl by the railings.In other words，it is Mangan’s brothers that provide the boy with the opportunity to watch Mangan’s sister.So，we can simply conclude that Mangan’s brothers act as helpers although they are not aware of it themselves.But because the boys are afraid of being discovered by the boy’s uncle who would turn up，they usually have to hide themselves in the shadow of the street.In other words，it is the boy’s uncle who reduces the boy’s chances to watch Mangan’s sister.So，to some extent，the uncle acts as an opponent who hinders the boy on his way to cruise to his dream.

3.Conclusion

Greimas’ model helps us to get a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the deep relationships between characters.Finding the binary opposition relations among the characters in the story，readers are led to see a boy who is isolated and feels lonely in an indifferent world，and his pursuit for the dream，finally turns out fruitless.

References

Bolt，Sydney.2005.A Preface to Joyce.Beijing：Peking University Press.

Greimas，A.J.，McDowell，Daniele，Schleifer，Ronald and Velie，Alan，trans.1983.Structural Semantics：An Attempt at a Method.The University of Nebraska Press.

Hebert，Louis.1987.Tools for Text and Image Analysis：An Introduction to Applied Semiotics.

Joyce，James.1993.Dubliners.Wordsworth Editions Ltd.