Eveline
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The story “Eveline” by James Joyce is about a girl who wants to escape her reality and find her ideal. Eveline had spent her young life with gloomy days. When she was 19 years old, she got an opportunity that she could finish up her dark and old life and start a satisfied and new life. However, she realized that she cant leave her old life. At the end of the story, “She set her white face to him, passive, like a helpless animal” (7). There must be some reasons that she didnt leave.
James Joyce, who was born in Ireland, expressed Ireland people as Eveline. When the writer wrote the story, Ireland was controlled under England, so the people in Ireland couldnt have freedom, goal. They had to live in meaningless. In the story, unmerciful living and heavy burdens could be expressed Ireland societys paralyzed systems and situations. Evline was afraid of reality that she couldnt practice her dream, and she had to follow the rules that she has to take care her family. “She always gave her entire wages – seven shillings” (4) and “it was hard work – a hard life” (5). One day, Frank, who made the only opportunity to escape from paralyzed life for Eveline, appeared. Frank can be migration to other country. Leaving Evelines home town, Dublin, enjoy new life. However, she promised with her mother to “keep the home together as long as she could” (6). She couldnt break the promise and betray her country.
An anxiety about the exploring new life can be a failure to leave her home town. Eveline lived in Dublin for 19 years. All of memories about her, family and friends are in the town. As Eveline grew up, she knew and learned everything for her, and she fitted her life style into the style of Dublin. For 19 years old girl, her home town was most familiar than any other places. Therefore, she had fear with new place. Even she hates her living environments,