Eveline by James Joyce Literary Analysis Essay Example

The story “Eveline” by James Joyce follows the character Eveline who is stuck with making the hard decision of whether to leave with her lover to Argentina or to stay with her father and siblings back in Dublin. Eveline reminisces about her how her life previously was and the fond memories of her childhood, but now that her mother has passed she has been forced with the duty to be the new head of her household. She takes care of her drunken father, her younger siblings, and she supplies her family with her entire paycheck to make ends meet. Every Saturday night, Eveline is met by the worst version of her father, who verbally abuses her while being extremely drunk. Most times, he can barely even hand over some money for the household so that Eveline can get food for dinner. In turn, she is forced to rush out late to make dinner in time for the night. Eveline begins to grow tired of the hard life that has been placed upon her; so she forms a plan to elope with her lover and leave her life in Dublin for a new one in Argentina. The life that awaits her with her partner Frank gives Eveline hope and excites her, freeing her from the demanding responsibilities of keeping the household together. Although she has planned a new life with Frank, her father often expresses his distaste for the man. Therefore, Eveline is left to only meet with Frank in secret, suggesting that he knows nothing about her plans to leave Dublin. As Eveline realizes that her time to make a decision is coming to an end, she reminisces on her childhood and how her father was once a kine, loving man. Suddenly, the sound of an organ playing down the street triggers another memory, one that is not so fond. She sorrowfully recalls “the pitiful vision of her mother's life … [a] life of commonplace sacrifices closing in [on] final craziness,” for which she then abruptly stands up and decides that she must escape from this life (Joyce 5). The story quickly transitions to Eveline at the boarding station with Frank where surprisingly, she is still battling with the decision of if she should leave or not, despite her impulsive choice earlier. As the boat makes its final call, she notices that she has taken too long to make a decision, and Frank and her opportunities leave without her. 

Eveline’s character is that of a young girl who has been given responsibilities that are far too exhausting for someone of her age, thus being left to decipher how she wants to spend the rest of her life. Her past and her assumed future are a continuous problem for Eveline when she becomes torn between what she would leave behind in Dublin and what lies ahead of her in Argentina. Throughout the story, Eveline is constantly mulling over the pros and cons of her situation and how she should conclude what to do. One of Evelines’ main conflicts is her father. While she holds good memories of the man, after the death of her mother he turns violent and verbally abusive. She fears he will soon develop to be physically abusive when he “[begins] to threaten her and say what he would do to her only for her dead mother's sake” (Joyce 2-3). This is what fuels her passion to start a new life with Frank. Yet, when she has more time to thoroughly think about the decision she is left confused about what to do. Ideas of losing familiarity and betraying the pledge she made to her mother on her deathbed begin to sprout in Eveline’s mind. These thoughts are powerful for Eveline, as it is what ultimately keeps her from boarding the boat with Frank and starting her new life. Although Eveline believes she loves Frank, she is riddled with self-doubt and anxiety about what her new life would bring. Fear, self-doubt, and anxiety are what drive Evelines’ decisions and she ends up seeking the outcome of the life that she so desperately tried to avoid. THE CENTRAL IDEA OF “EVELINE” EXPRESSES HOW FAMILIARITY WITH A SITUATION, NO MATTER HOW OPPRESSIVE,  CAN PARALYZE ONE’S ABILITY TO MAKE DECISIONS THAT CAN POSITIVELY CHANGE ONE’S LIFE.