Despite differences in time, place, and genre, the narrators of "Araby" and "Wild Berry Blue" are similar in their infatuations and journeys. Within each story, the young narrators come to the conclusion that their actions reflect their immaturity and madness compared to their first loves. The appearance of this conclusion in both "Wild Berry Blue" and "Araby" indicates Galchen's deep understanding of "Araby." Rivka Galchen must have read James Joyce's classic short story “Araby” before writing her short story “Wild Berry Blue” with a similar but contemporary plot