Title:Eveline -- A Character Analysis.
"There is no more miserable human being than one in whom nothing is habitual but indecision (James)." Originally appearing in Dubliners, a compilation of vignettes by James Joyce, his short story Eveline is the tale of such an unfortunate individual. Anxious, timid, scared, perhaps even terrified -- all these describe Eveline. She is a frightened, indecisive young woman poised between her past and her future. .
Eveline loves her father but is fearful of him. She tries to hold onto good memories of her father, thinking "sometimes he could be very nice (Joyce 5)," but has seen what her father has done to her siblings when he would "hunt them in out of the field with his blackthorn stick (Joyce 4)." As of late she has begun to feel "herself in danger of her father's violence (Joyce 4)." Ironically, her father has "begun to threaten her and say what he"d do to her only for her dead mother's sake (Joyce 5)." .
Eveline wants a new life but is afraid to let go of her past. She dreams of a place where "people would treat her with respect (Joyce 4)" and when contemplating her future, hopes "to explore a new life with Frank (Joyce 5)." When, in a moment of terror she realizes that "she must escape (Joyce 6)," it seems to steel her determination to make a new home for herself elsewhere. On the other hand, she is comfortable with the "familiar objects from which she had never dreamed of being divided (Joyce 4)." She rationalizes that: "In her home anyway she had shelter and food; she had those whom she had known all her life about her (Joyce 4)." As she reflects on her past she discovers "now that she was about to leave it she did not find it a wholly undesirable life (Joyce 5)." .
Eveline wants to keep the deathbed pledge made to her mother but is alarmed at the prospect of sharing her mother's fate. Her mother was ill-treated in life and Eveline vows that "she would not be treated as her mother had been (Joyce 4).
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. ...
