Araby Theme

Another
theme revolves around religion and faith.  The narrator has grown up Catholic, and has been
sternly instructed in the dogma of this religion.  He associates his life with the images and
stories he has learned from church.  He is a religious hero who is honoring Mangan's sister as
an earthly "Virgin Mary."  His love for her is pure, and he assumes that she is
likewise pure, as his religion has taught him.  He has not learned yet that life is not as clear
cut as the lessons he is taught in catechisms.  When he sees the hypocrisy of the
church-sponsored bazaar, and hears the woman flirting, and recognizes finally that secular life
is not as pretty as his religion has suggested.  He sees church as shine and not substance.  The
suggestion is that not only has this experience caused him to question himself and the morality
of his society, but also his own faith.