Eveline Essay
Allison Newport
English Comp. 2
6/16/14
Eveline
In the short story Eveline, fierce battles are waged in the mind, and heart-wretching decisions are made by a timid, nineteen year old woman with a romanticized dream of her future. Trapped-like a frightened puppy who craves freedom and adventure yet is inexperienced and ill-prepared for a life on its own, James Joyce’s character Eveline is caught choosing between her life of difficult familiarity and an exciting world exploring uncharted territory with the man she has grown to love-Frank. A young woman unable to taste the sweetness of a carefree adolescence, Eveline has carried the burdens of arduous responsibilities since early childhood. The primary source of Eveline’s anxiety is her father- a controlling and intimidating figure. Eveline’s home life is demanding; she works long and hard to help support her younger siblings and run the household’s affairs. Although Eveline’s life is hard, to her it is not an all together terrible one. The day-to-day struggles are taxing, but they are familiar; they are her comfort zone. She has a routine and is obligated and conditioned to her submissive way of living. However, this is not to say that she does not catch herself dreaming now and again about a life beyond the now. These dreams come in the form of Frank, a tan and charismatic sailor who manages to sweep the timid Eveline off her feet. Frank woos her over with his charming personality, wild tales of journeys to the farthest reaches of the earth, endearing pet names, and affectionate ballads. Eveline begins to see herself with Frank- living a life of adventure and excitement- escaping from her stifling life of trepidation. Frank wants to marry her and take her to Buenos Ayres to live in with him in his beautiful home, but that would mean Eveline uprooting from the only home she has ever known and transplanting herself into a completely new environment. Is she ready? How
English Comp. 2
6/16/14
Eveline
In the short story Eveline, fierce battles are waged in the mind, and heart-wretching decisions are made by a timid, nineteen year old woman with a romanticized dream of her future. Trapped-like a frightened puppy who craves freedom and adventure yet is inexperienced and ill-prepared for a life on its own, James Joyce’s character Eveline is caught choosing between her life of difficult familiarity and an exciting world exploring uncharted territory with the man she has grown to love-Frank. A young woman unable to taste the sweetness of a carefree adolescence, Eveline has carried the burdens of arduous responsibilities since early childhood. The primary source of Eveline’s anxiety is her father- a controlling and intimidating figure. Eveline’s home life is demanding; she works long and hard to help support her younger siblings and run the household’s affairs. Although Eveline’s life is hard, to her it is not an all together terrible one. The day-to-day struggles are taxing, but they are familiar; they are her comfort zone. She has a routine and is obligated and conditioned to her submissive way of living. However, this is not to say that she does not catch herself dreaming now and again about a life beyond the now. These dreams come in the form of Frank, a tan and charismatic sailor who manages to sweep the timid Eveline off her feet. Frank woos her over with his charming personality, wild tales of journeys to the farthest reaches of the earth, endearing pet names, and affectionate ballads. Eveline begins to see herself with Frank- living a life of adventure and excitement- escaping from her stifling life of trepidation. Frank wants to marry her and take her to Buenos Ayres to live in with him in his beautiful home, but that would mean Eveline uprooting from the only home she has ever known and transplanting herself into a completely new environment. Is she ready? How