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A quest, according to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, is an act or instance of seeking. Often in a quest, one struggles and faces hardships. Many people experience this each day; whether he is in search for a loved one, a job, or something as small as a gift. Authors often use a quest as a conflict in literature. Similar to others, James Joyce incorporates the idea of a quest in his work “Araby.” Joyce’s main character, a young boy, experiences two quests. One in which he is in search of a young lady’s love, and the other a gift for her. These two quests intertwine; yet both fulfill the provisions of a quest in its entirety. As the story begins, the reader learns of the young boy’s daily rituals. “When we returned to the street light from the kitchen windows had filled the areas. If my uncle was seen turning the corner we hid in the shadow until we had seen him safely housed. Or if Mangan’s sister came out on the doorstep to call her brother into his tea we watched her from our shadow and walked up to Mangan’s steps resignedly. She was waiting for us, her figure defined by the light from the half-opened door. Her brother always teased her before he obeyed and I stood by the railings looking at her.