Araby epiphany

Epiphany is an break through or realization of some sort, often relating with religious overtones. In Joyce's "Araby" a young boy, who is the narrator, is looking to buy the girl he loves a present. The narrator gets the money late from his uncle, on the day he was suppose to go get the girl a present. When he gets there, there is only 10 minutes left before it shuts down. Without realizing it, he spends double the money on getting in, instead of finding the cheaper entrance. The boy has his epiphany when he is leaving the bazaar.

"Gazing up into the darkness I saw myself as a creature driven and derided by vanity; and my eyes burned with anguish and anger."

The narrator is upset about leaving the bazaar with nothing in his hands for his girl. He is full of anger and anguish because he realizes if he doesn't get her anything. There are plenty of boys that will go after her, just like him, to buy her a present of some sort. On his way home, the narrator realizes he was trying to hard to impress the girl and instead of having all his money for himself. He is only left with six pence.