Dubliners
Eveline

Eveline: Summary

The story revolves around Eveline, who is planning to elope with her boyfriend Frank to Argentina to escape her difficult home life. However, ultimately, she can't bring herself to leave, overwhelmed by fear and guilt.

Below you will find a small but curated list of books and introductory articles on "Eveline" to gain a deeper understanding of the story.

Overview & Analysis

"Eveline" is a short story, set in early 20th century Dublin, Ireland. It revolves around the life of Eveline, a young woman burdened by the responsibilities of her challenging home life. The story explores themes of escape, family duty, and the struggle between desire and obligation.

The narrative begins with Eveline reminiscing about her childhood spent in a field where she, her siblings, and neighbourhood children would play. The field, now replaced by "bright brick houses with shining roofs", symbolizes the changes Eveline has undergone—from an innocent child to a weary adult responsible for her family's upkeep after her mother's death. Joyce writes: "Tizzie Dunn was dead, too, and the Waters had gone back to England. Everything changes." This statement underscores the theme of change and loss that permeates Eveline's life.

The character of Eveline is drawn with deep sensitivity. She is stuck in a challenging predicament—a painful life with her abusive father versus an uncertain future offered by her lover, Frank. Eveline is torn between fulfilling her promise to her mother to keep the family together and the desire to escape this life with Frank.

Frank, Eveline's lover, is portrayed as her possible saviour, offering an escape from her oppressive life. He is depicted as a kind, manly, and open-hearted sailor who promises Eveline a new life in Buenos Aires, a place that symbolizes hope and opportunity. However, Eveline's father disapproves of him, saying, "I know these sailor chaps," revealing a prejudiced mindset and his control over Eveline's life.

The avenue where Eveline lives symbolizes her routine, mundane life. The evening invading the avenue mirrors the feeling of her own life being encroached upon by monotony and sorrow.

The story reaches a high emotional pitch when Eveline, about to board the ship with Frank, decides against eloping. Joyce describes her state of mind: "She gripped with both hands at the iron railing. 'Come!' No! No! No! It was impossible." This is Eveline's "epiphany"—a moment of sudden revelation or realization. Despite her initial desire to escape, Eveline succumbs to the paralysis of fear, guilt, and obligation. The iron railing that Eveline clutches signifies her clinging to her old life and inhibitions.

The conclusion is heartbreaking as Eveline, "passive, like a helpless animal", watches Frank leave without any sign of recognition or farewell. This image of Eveline reflects her tragic surrender to her circumstances, overwhelmed by the implications of her escape.

In essence, "Eveline" is a poignant exploration of duty, repression, and the struggle for personal freedom. Joyce masterfully uses symbolism and characterization to reveal Eveline's psychological landscape, portraying the tragedy of an individual trapped by social expectations and personal fear. The story, thus, serves as a critique of the restrictive environment that prevents individuals, particularly women, from realizing their potential and aspirations. The narrative leaves the reader with a profound sense of pathos for Eveline, highlighting the human struggle between our roles and our dreams.

Characters

Character Description
Eveline The protagonist of the story, Eveline, is a nineteen-year-old woman living with her father in Dublin. She has a hard life, taking care of her father and maintaining the house. She is considering leaving her old life behind to elope with her lover, Frank, but is conflicted due to her responsibilities and fear of the unknown.
Frank Frank is Eveline's lover, a sailor who promises her a better life in Buenos Aires. He is described as kind, manly, and open-hearted. Despite his promises, Eveline ultimately decides not to elope with him.
Eveline's Father Eveline's father is portrayed as a harsh and abusive man. He is against Eveline's relationship with Frank and is a significant reason for Eveline's difficult life. However, Eveline also recalls moments when he could be nice, adding complexity to his character.
Harry and Ernest Harry and Ernest are Eveline's brothers. Ernest, who is dead, was Eveline's favourite, while Harry, who is in the church decorating business, is often away from home.
Eveline's Mother Eveline's mother is not alive during the timeline of the story but is mentioned several times. She is portrayed as a woman who led a life of sacrifices and died in "final craziness". Eveline made a promise to her to keep the home together.

Bibliography for Dubliners —
Eveline

Author Title Type
Balzano, Wanda. 'Eveline,' or the Veils of Cleaning," in: A New & Complex Sensation: Essays on Joyce's Dubliners. Ed. Oona Frawley. Dublin (Lilliput Press) 2004, p.81-93. Article
De Voogd, Peter Imaging Eveline: Visualised Focalisations in James Joyce's 'Dubliners', in: European Journal of English Studies 4.1 (2000), p.39-48. Article
Hawthorn, Jeremy. The Richness of Meanness: Joseph Conrad's 'To-morrow' and James Joyce's 'Eveline,' in: Literary Sinews: Essays in Honour of Björn Tysdahl. Ed. Jakob Lothe / Juan Christian Pellicer and Tore Rem. (= Novus Studies in Literature, 5). Oslo (Novus) 2003. p.107-120." Article
LeBlanc, Jim. More on 'Derevaun Seraun!', in: JJQ 35//36 (1998), p. 849-851. Article
Mullin, Katherine Don't Cry for Me, Argentina: 'Eveline' and the Seductions of Emigration Propaganda, in: Semicolonial Joyce. Ed. Derek Attridge / Marjorie Howes. Cambridge (Cambridge University Press) 2000, p.172-200. Article
O'Brien, Eugene. because she was a girl': Gender Identity and the Postcolonial in James Joyce's 'Eveline'," in: Irish Quarterly Review 93, no. 370 (Summer 2004), p.201-15. Article
San Juan Jr., E. 'Eveline': Joyce's Affirmation of Ireland, in: Éire-Ireland 4.1 (Spring 1969), p. 46-52. Article
Scholes, Robert. Semiotic Approaches to a Fictional Text: Joyce's 'Eveline',in: JJQ 16.1 (1979), p.65-80. Article
Schwall, Hedwig. Mind the Gap: Possible Uses of Psychoanalysis in the Study of English Literature. With an Illustration from Joyce's 'Eveline', in: European Journal of English Studies 6.3 (2000), p.343-360. Article
Solomon, Albert J. The Backgrounds of 'Eveline', in: Éire-Ireland 6.3 (Autumn 1971), p.23-38. Article