Research Paper On Eveline

Eveline, the protagonist of James Joyce's short story, " Eveline," is affected by difficult family dynamics and loss. She is afraid of what may happen in the future, although she decides that she will leave Dublin, Ireland to escape to Argentina with her lover, Frank. Eveline realizes that the death of several people she knew causes a large amount of change that she doesn't want and is not prepared for. Eveline was used to her Dublin home as a constant reminder of her family life; everything was familiar to her since nothing ever changed. In the beginning of the short story, Eveline is sitting and "watching the evening invade the avenue" (25) through the window. Evening was invading which could be another way of saying that at one point she
Even though Eveline is over 19 years old, she still feels herself " in danger of her father's violence." (26) Her father abused her when she was a child, and the fact that she still feels a lack of protection shows that it was traumatizing for her. Eveline says that " she knew it was that that had given her the palpitations."(26) There's an adage saying that home is where the heart is, but home makes her heart skip beats. Almost like how the broken harmonium could skip certain notes since it’s broken. Eveline wasn't happy and it shows when she says she seemed to be "rather happy then"(25) when she played in the fields by her home. She mentions that "her father was not so bad then; and... her mother was alive." (25) This reveals that her father is obviously worse now, and the loss of her mother must have totally disrupted the family. Her father used to " say what he would do for her dead mother's sake"(26) which shows that he is taking out the pain he might be feeling on Eveline. Regardless, Eveline still felt as if " she had nobody to protect her" (26) This is the void Frank is expected to fill. Frank was "very kind, manly, [and] open-hearted,"(27) and the exact opposite of her father. He is a refuge to her especially since he was taking her " to live with him in Buenos Ayres" (26). Frank was going to take her to Argentina, which is known as a great place for
Eveline was back at her window now, "leaning her head against the...curtain inhaling the odour of dusty cretonne." (28) Earlier, she had the scent already in her nostrils now she was inhaling it. She knew this would be the last time she inhaled something familiar to her. Eveline also had a brief moment which she remembered her mother. She was reminded of " her promise to keep the house together as long as she could." (28) By leaving, she was letting her mother down. The family had already fallen apart, and there was nothing more for her to do. Eveline "trembled as she heard again her mother's voice."(28) The thought of her mother was possessing her, and she was unable to control herself. "She stood up in a sudden impulse of terror. Escape! She must escape!" It was imperative for Eveline to leave. She was haunted by the idea of having no protection from her father and also the memory of her mother. While Eveline is at the docks waiting to go to England on the ferry, " she [feels] her cheek pale and cold, and out of a maze of distress, she [prays] to God to direct her and show her what was her duty." (29) Eveline never mentioned that her family was highly religious, but since she resorts to God it is obvious that this situation is one where she feels that she needs help. There was also the picture of the priest in the front room, which