"Araby" takes place in Dublin, Ireland, around 1905, when the story was written. It is the third story in James Joyce's collection of short stories entitled The Dubliners.

What is the setting of Araby?

The setting of “Araby” is Dublin, capital city of Ireland and hometown of James Joyce. The unnamed narrator lives in a place called North Richmond Street, which is described as “blind.” We get a sense of Joyce is referring to as blindness in his description of this respectable but bland part of town.

Why is the setting important in Araby?

This setting is important to the story because it is where the narrator's epiphany takes place. Most of the stalls have closed and darkness envelops the bazaar. Of the few stalls that remain open, there is little that he might purchase as a gift for Mangan's sister.