"Eveline" is a short story written by James Joyce about a young lady who lives her life in a promise. The promise is to her mother, who had passed away, that no matter how bad the family became, she would always keep it together. At a significant point in Eveline's life, she was given the opportunity to leave the family and start a family of her own. Although Eveline is miserable with her life, she runs from Frank with no love in her eyes and remembers the promise that she had made.
Some people think that she did the right thing in keeping her promise, while others think that she did not have enough courage to go with Frank. Though both opinions are relevant, it is strongly apparent that Eveline is a coward for her actions. She ran away from the only person that truly loved her and cared about her needs. .
Joyce opens the story with Eveline remembering old neighbors like "the Waters" (4) who have since escaped east to England because they were not opposed to leaving their home. She looks forward to "going. away like the others" (Joyce 4). She admits she will not be missed at her job and at nineteen, without the former protection of her older brothers, she is beginning to feel "herself in danger of her father's violence" (Joyce 4). She wants to escape her father's abuse and leave her life that is filled with nothing that she enjoys. Eveline cannot end up like her mother, who was rejected by the town people and "living a life of commonplace sacrifices closing in final craziness" (Joyce 6) and her only option is to "escape" with Frank. In the story, Eveline's sudden impulse drives her to admit that "He would save her" (Joyce 6) if she goes with him east across the seas. .
Eveline looks forward to "exploring another life with Frank" (Joyce 5). One way that she exhibits that she is a coward is shown through Frank. Rather than living in her mother's promise, Eveline has a chance to live her own life and begin something new with Frank.
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" 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. ...
Anxious, timid, scared, perhaps even terrified -- all these describe Eveline. ... Eveline loves her father but is fearful of him. ... Eveline wants a new life but is afraid to let go of her past. ... Although fear is not Eveline's constant companion, it is a common one. ... Eveline. ...