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