Eveline, James Joyce

 Eveline, James Joyce


Rating: 8.5/10


 Eveline, 19 years old girl, was living with  supporting his father as a child head of household. Her mother and brother died a few years ago, and her younger brother was also living far away. But after her mother died, she was abused by her father and eventually decided to leave to Buenos Aires with Frank, her lover. But she failed to leave. 

 Even though she could have gain freedom from poverty, oppression, and abuse, she didn't leave. Maybe it was because of her family. She thought of the words left by dead mother and image of a kind father before mother die, and these could have prevent her from abandoning her family. But I think Joyce wanted to show paralysis once again through Eveline's choice. It is described that "All the seas of the world tumbled about her heart. He [Frank] was drawing her into them: he would drown her." She was afraid that all the seas in the world strike her and fall into them. In the end, these fears paralyzed her. Furthermore, I think Joyce tried to show the helpless and passive appearance of the Irish people at that time through this paralysis. 

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