The endings of "Cathedral- by Raymond Carver and "Eveline- by James Joyce have been called moments of realization. After reading both of these stories I can't say I entirely understand that statement. Joyce called these moments "epiphanies- but of the two stories, his ending was less like an epiphany than "Eveline's-. .
Eveline's story is one you hear of often but never consider to be a conflict. Leaving home is something that all children must do when they reach a certain age. When she decides to throw away her life and happiness at the end of the story, she surrenders to the fears in her mind. She leaves her fiancé standing on the boat by himself waiting for her. To be brave is to fear something but to go ahead and do it anyway. She was scared to leave everything she'd ever known behind, thousands of miles away, but anyone in her place would have probably felt the same way. The difference with Eveline and most other people is that she has no courage to leave her difficult life and trade it in for a better one. The reason I call the life she would have had better is because if it turned out to be a disappointment it would still have been more favorable then her current living situation. She let's her family step all over her and take advantage of her. In my opinion Eveline stayed at home because she was scared but she lets herself believe it's because of a "promise to her mother, her promise to keep the home together as long as she could- (Joyce 1275). It is still a mystery as to what needed to be held together. One of her brothers is dead and the other travels around the country and is rarely home. All that is left of their home is Eveline, her miserable father, and "two young children who had been left to her charge- (1276). Throughout the story the reader never finds out who these children are so my opinions are based solely on Eveline's relationship with her father.
For most of her life, Eveline has been the backbone of her home. ... Her father is a drunk who would threaten Eveline and even put her down. ... Clearly, we can see the difficulty in the decision that Eveline must ultimately make. ... Eveline really does not know Frank that well. ... Eveline, now, will never know how true happiness will feel like. ...
What would influence Eveline to leave her father behind after losing her mother? ... Eveline really at this point can't decide wiether or not to leave or stay at home. ... Eveline raved and bickered a lot about how sensitive and kind Frank was to her. ... Eveline I feel made the right decision in staying home with her father. ... Maybe to Frank his getting with Eveline was something simple, but to Eveline it was something of a new beginning. ...
Eveline's character was one of the most complex, and oddest I've ever read. ... However the era being Eveline's age (20+) you were already considered an old woman. I guess one word that I can use describe Eveline would be devotion. ... Eveline's devotion to her family really impressed me. ... Another point I brought up in my introduction was that eveline was hardworking. ...
Eveline Hill is a 19-year old girl, who works in a department store in Dublin, where she is criticised and ordered around. ... Having decided to leave Dublin and her family Eveline sits at the window one evening and considers if she acts the right way. Playing a special melody, a street piano player reminds Eveline of the promise she gave her dying mother, which says that Eveline would care for the family as long as she could. But Eveline also thinks about her mother's sorrowful and self-sacrificing way of life, which ended in madness. ... Arriving at the quay, where the ship is ready to ...
Eveline The story of Eveline is a story about a girl trying to escape her life. When her mother dies Eveline makes a vow to her that she will take care of the family. ... Although Eveline had chances to leave, that vow to her mother just kept her in the abusive situation. ... The whole story focuses on Eveline trying to be saved from a horrible life. If Eveline had born a male than the story would not have had any significance or meaning. ...
Eveline knows that the life that she has with her father will never make her happy. ... Frank was a sailor with whom Eveline was going to run away with. ... Eveline also believed that her mother had gone crazy right before she died. ... The story of Eveline and her family's life is very sad. ... Eveline's mother and brother both passed away when she was at a young age. ...
"Eveline" is a short story written by James Joyce about a young lady who lives her life in a promise. ... Eveline looks forward to "exploring another life with Frank" (Joyce 5). ... It is in the last part of the story that really clarifies Eveline as a coward. Eveline has already been courted and won by Frank. ... When Eveline runs from him, her lack of faith and courage is shown. ...
"Eveline" One thing I noticed in James Joyce's "Eveline" is that the main character only wants to marry the man she is dating to escape the pain and anguish that she grew up in. Eveline growing up has put up with watching her father abuse her mother and when she dies, Eveline becomes the victim. ... Eveline at first seems very excited to leave her home. ... Joyce portrays this by not even mentioning her name, Eveline, until the thought of moving to an unknown country with a man that she is to marry. ... Unfortunately, Eveline does not love him. ...
Eveline has taken over the motherly role in her family after the mother lost her life due to a terrible illness. ... But now, Eveline could not hide like in days past. ... Eveline also felt excitement in the idea of starting a new life. ... This feeling of guilt is what led Eveline to not board the ship with Frank who she so much loved. Although I can understand Eveline's point of view, I do not agree nor would I have made her decision to stay. ...