The following quotation, in which he leaves the bazaar empty-handed, emphasizes the fact that the narrator had egregiously deluded himself about his perceived romance. "Gazing up into the darkness I saw myself as a creature driven and derided by vanity; and my eyes burned with anguish and anger" (Joyce). The "anger" the narrator experiences is understandable and is in reaction to this dearth of money and inability to produce a talisman that is a token of his affection for Mangan's sister. What is far more meaningful, however, is the "anguish" he feels, which is demonstrative of his despair in knowing that he cannot afford presents for Mangan's sister and will not consummate his feelings for her ever -- and is instead headed for a life of poverty, dinginess and mediocrity.

The existence of the narrator's aunt and uncle confirm the fact that more than likely, the narrator will share their...
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