Eveline by James Joyce Character Analysis

Eveline by James Joyce Character Analysis

“Eveline” by James Joyce is a compelling short story of a young lady who demonstrates the challenge of moving forward and holding to her past. The story set in the early twentieth century describes the dilemma a young lady goes through to take care of her drunkard father after the demise of the mother. Eveline has to put up with her drunkard and abusive father. When she met her secret lover Frank, who is a sailor, she sees an opportunity to feel from her mystery and escape to Argentina. This scenario brings out different traits and conflicts with Frank and Eveline.

Throughout the narration, Eveline demonstrates a strong attachment to the family. The connection comes clear when Joyce says, “the white of two letters in her lap grew indistinct” (2). Moreover, Eveline can sustain the problematic and abusive life to take care of her father and brother. Even when she finally gets a chance to escape, she turns down the offer in fear of her father’s situation.

Eveline also tends to consider Frank as her savior from the disturbing domestic life. The thought of Frank being her savior regularly comes through her mind. “She had a right to happiness. Frank would take her in his arms, fold her in his arms. He would save her” (Joyce 3). Though the feeling does not last, Eveline consistently expresses her feeling of how leaving with Frank would open a new chapter in her life. All these desires are to avoid the tribulations her mother suffered, but she finds herself in the same problem.

Eveline’s desire and love for her family only dump her into more conflict. Joyce demonstrates this problem when he says, “all the seas of the world tumbled about her heart. He was drowning her into them, he would drown her” (3). Despite knowing that Frank would be a savior, the thought of her daily life and family situation holds her back. Eveline ends up helpless and as a human devoid of emotions and will.

Despite the problem and internal conflict she goes through, Eveline has to make a choice. The first decision she made was to take care of her father and brother after the death of her mother. However, the domestic situation makes her question her choice, and Eveline wants to leave with Frank. When all is set, she turns down the offer and decides to take care of her father. The story depicts Eveline as indecisive. She shuts all her emotions and remains lost in her world.

The interaction of Eveline with her secret lover also reveals a lot about Franks. Eveline describes Frank as manly, open-hearted, and kind. He shared this moment by frequently visiting Eveline at her work stations. As a sailor, Frank tends to listen to music and would sing a song of foreign lands. His lover enjoyed these songs and coupled with stories of the voyages. However, the stories of stories create conflict in his love life. Eveline’s father frequently warned her daughter to keep off from the sailor because of his interactions with prostitutes during his trips. The climax of the conflict occurs when during when Eveline fails to board, and Joyce demonstrated this when she says, “gave him no sign of love or farewell or recognition” (6). Couch, Baughman, and Derow describe this situation to be best known by the victim and can have lasting trauma (506). Despite the warnings, Frank chose to move with Eveline to Argentina despite the warning at the final stage.

In summary, the short story describes the traits, tendencies, conflict, and choices in n the life of Eveline and Frank. Eveline came from a troubled family that influences her decision and demonstrate her character. She fell in love with Frank, who seemed to be a solution to her problems. The relationship exposes the personality of Franks and his desire to be with his lover.

Works Cited

Couch, Laurie L., Kiersten R. Baughman, and Melissa R. Derow. “The Aftermath of Romantic Betrayal: What’s Love Got to do with it?” Current Psychology 36.3 (2017): 504-515. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-016-9438-y

Joyce, James. “Evelyn.” Literature and the Writing Process. Eds. Elizabeth McMahan, Susan X. Day, and Robert Funk. 4th ed. Upper Saddle River. Prentice, 1996. 1-6. Retrieved from: http://www.lonestar.edu/departments/english/joyce_eveline.pdf