Question

Evaluate the culture presented in the story. What details do you notice that show this story is not taking place in the United States?

Answer 1

Answer:

Descriptions of the setting, particularly the names of the streets, indicate "Araby" does not take place in the United States.*

*See explanation for a more in-depth answer

Explanation:

There are subtle ‘hints,’ or details, presented throughout the story that show “Araby” is not taking place in the United States. For starters, the story states these two specific street names: “North Richmond Street” and “Buckingham Street.” Now, these are two street names that America does have. There is a Richmond Street located in Palmdale, California and there is a Buckingham Street in Fullerton, California. Based on this information alone one might (unknowingly & incorrectly) assume that the story is taking place in America. However, there is one sentence in the story that reveals this story could not have taken place in the United States. Read the first sentence of “Araby”:

“North Richmond Street, being blind, was a quiet street except at the hour when the Christian Brothers' School set the boys free.”

According to this sentence, there is a Christian Brothers’ School located on North Richmond Street. Only one place in the world has an all boys school located on a street called North Richmond. That place is Dublin, Ireland. Therefore, based on the gathered information, it is safe to say that this story takes place in Dublin, Ireland; not the United States.

FUN FACT:

The Christian Brothers’ School on North Richmond Street changed its name to O’Connell Secondary School.