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The Narrator
The unnamed narrator and protagonist. He is a young boy growing up in North Dublin who becomes enamored with his friend Mangan’s sister. The narrator embarks on a quest to buy her a gift from Araby, a Dublin bazaar, but is ultimately unsuccessful.
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Mangan’s Sister
The sister of one of the narrator’s friends and the recipient of the narrator’s affection and obsession. It is for her that the narrator wishes to go to Araby so that he can buy her a gift and win her heart. The narrator’s obsession with Mangan’s sister marks his departure from childhood and his entrance into the adolescent world.
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The Narrator’s Uncle
The forgetful uncle of the story’s narrator and protagonist. The narrator’s uncle was supposed to come home early on the day of the bazaar so that he could provide his nephew with train fare. However, he forgets and returns home so late that most of the stalls are closed by the time that the narrator arrives at Araby.
The Narrator's Aunt
The narrator’s aunt who he appears to live with. She is a minor character who exists to represent the adult world that the young narrator is on the cusp of joining. She also allows the narrator to go to Araby despite the late hour.
The Young Shopkeeper
The young woman in charge of the stall that the narrator visits while at Araby. She is English and flirts with the adult, male customers while making the narrator feel unwelcome. The narrator’s unsatisfactory interaction with the young shopkeeper destroys his idealized view of Araby.
