The Odyssey V.S. The Dubliners

Telemachaus’ plight throughout The Odyssey is similar to those of the characters in The Dubliners. The characters from both stories are encountering a quest they must take in order to solve their dilemmas. Telemachaus is introduced as a weak character at the beginning of the story as is “the boy” in “Araby”. Both characters initially have some type of situation at home they need to resolve and by going on their quests; they achieve the sense of maturity and realistic views that make them stronger people. Telemachaus’ first change in character from being less assertive and a push over is when he and Athena have their first encounter in Book 1. She not only teaches him to become more bearing and decisive, but also the responsibilities of being a prince. In books 3 and 4 the reader discovers that Telemachaus is maturing when Athena escorts him to the ceremony at Pylos. Telemachaus shows interest and eagerness towards the search and well-being of his father, and wants to be certain that he comes home alive to re-instate order to the kingdom.

Similarly in the short story “Araby”, by James Joyce, “the boy” lives in a dreary home where he soon discovers his escape from it can be through books, and he escapes into the fantasy world of passion and romance. The boy is very impressionable and the fantasy he created himself haunts him wherever he goes, like in the market place, “feeling that I bore my chalice safely through a throng of foes.” The boy has a built a dependency on his family members and therefore has made him want something more out of life. The love he expresses for his friends sister sparks his “quest” which ends in failure. His failure to achieve his goal brings his character down to earth, and brings his back to reality.

Both Telemachaus and “the boy” are