Espinoza 1

Steven Espinoza

Professor Vargas

LM-1485 British Literature Survey

20 Nov 2018

Sociological Paralysis on Joyce’s “Eveline”

Among the texts that evoke several feelings on readers, Joyce’s “Eveline”

provokes a sensation of manifestation and miserable decisions that lead to nothing but

desolation. The story takes place in the center of paralysis in the past British empire,

Ireland. The city of Dublin is being the target of the empower of England with its ideals

and politics. Likewise, Eveline is placed within this disaster and begins to reveal her

history, a difficult one actually. This story revolves around the idea of an oppressed

woman repressing herself not for her will but her word and responsibility. However,

sociological disadvantage is a matter that truly marks a difference when dealing with

dilemmas that concern culture and humanity. Thus, Eveline’s sacrifice displays how

situations cannot change if running away from them. Facing and struggling

circumstances is part of fixing problems. In the long run, either countries or individuals

have to break and look before the distance to work on the issues that torment either the

society or the individual. Therefore, although Eveline is considered as pure

representation of women’s violation of rights and values for some readers, this fictional

character and the setting can also function as a symbol to display and address

sociological oppression presented by England towards Ireland at that period of time.

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The story begins with a description of the setting in where Eveline is set. She

looks outside of a window remarking aspects of misery and oppression in the citizens.

This scenery unwraps an ambience of desolation, destruction and repression of the

Ireland society. Joyce states “she sat at the window watching the evening invade the

avenue. Her head was leaned against the window curtains and in her nostrils was the

odor of dusty cretonne. She was tired” (Joyce 21). Eveline works as the display of the

Ireland current situation: a place full of destruction and smells tired of the circumstance

and wanting to embrace a moment of freedom. Furthermore, non-present characters also

play a distinct role in the development of the story, for they function as a method to

push her to make decisions. Eveline exclaims, “that was a long time ago; [me] and [my]

brothers and sisters were all grown up; [my] mother was dead. Tizzie Dunn was dead,

too, and the Waters had gone back to England. Everything changes” (Joyce 21). The

character is tied to her past, finding herself amid the hesitation and conviction of new

horizons for her welfare.

Not being able to make proper decisions causes a disruption on the regular

pattern of actions, so that Eveline wonders and falters about her future choices based on

the past or previous experiences with an unknown outcome. Consequently, the first

glance and introduction of the story works as a background provider to immerse the

reader in the decay and desolation of Ireland at that time. Namely, the atmosphere of the

city aggravates the evidence of previous events presented on the current physical place

to strongly signal that radical changes or decisions can end up terribly. Remaining

disrupted minds and beings is a repercussion of attesting against the hegemony, but

those are sacrifices that must come into play in order to reach success. With all of these

factors, the reader can identify the states of paralysis and destruction displayed not only

on Eveline but also in the whole setting that surrounds her.

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Apart from that, another important fact is that Eveline’s father as a symbol or

representation reveals his oppressive and superior role towards her, which in this case, a

depiction of England in its hegemonic role upon Ireland. One detail to support this

claim is that “[Eveline] always gave her entire wages—seven shillings—and Harry always

sent up what he could, but the trouble was to get any money from her father” (Joyce 22).

She is forced to let her money be handled and managed by her father. A key aspect to

highlight the fact that England controls Ireland even when dealing with politics and

economy. Another factor is that Eveline’s character is inactive, “she was about to explore

another life with Frank” (22) Joyce remarks when referring to her beloved. Nonetheless,

what matters is that she practically does nothing but making a final decision. She is not

prepared or mature to decide whether making a decision or not, being always influenced

Eveline tries to unconsciously compare herself to the bohemian girl, yet this

believe comes from the exterior, namely Frank. “He took her to see The Bohemian Girl

and she felt elated as she sat in an unaccustomed part of the theatre with him” (Joyce

23). Notice how Eveline compares the occasion with her life and events, not considering

or being critical about its real state. This is a piece of evidence to prove that the situation

Eveline is facing with both her naïve behavior and her father will provoke a

representation of a strong entity against a weak one. In brief, a symbol of control and

power equally manifested by England torturing Ireland with its politics. This immature

behavior is the responsible of Ireland not capable of fighting for its freedom and

liberation of rights until a final dissolution. Convincing the citizenship to believe that

they are something they are not is a clue to show the bohemian lifestyle that Eveline

claims as appropriate, but it is clear that this believe comes from the outside, meaning

England working as the hegemonic group manipulating the environment for the rest to

feel comfortable and settled within the disaster.

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As a matter of fact, there are several instances that can evoke a possible glance

in the horizon. Situations, events, or even beings can perfectly bring optimism and

courage to go ahead and seek joy. The character of Frank seamlessly incites a great deal

of hope since he is able to transmit Eveline a sight of valor for her to scape; Eveline

lives a nightmare since the first time they met. Frank becomes a figure of freedom and

redemption from previous tides to Eveline, though she does not consider him the center

of her view. Rather, Eveline decides to focus her attention on previous situations that

are constantly revolving around her mind. In a quest to eventually hide her passionate

love to her beloved, the narration avoids the use of certain words like “love,” instead the

usual repetition of the word “like” is actually the most notorious expression. This is a

crucial aspect when analyzing Eveline’s behavior, such treat is to create a contrast on

not expressing the real matter and ultimately not letting Frank consider her actual

thought.

On the other hand, Eveline also insists on using the modal “would” when talking

or referring to the future, a clear sign of hesitation for the outcome. As a representation

of Ireland, her uncertainty on making a new decision that can free her is a strong

affirmation to address a country seeking for ways to finally achieve liberty and freedom.

Nonetheless, this key and crucial factor does not come into play since she rejects the

only opportunity to diminish her suffering. Throughout the influence of different

characters and situations Eveline has the opportunity to jump out of oppression, but she

cares more for her integrity remaining loyal than her actual state of mind being

disrupted and not accurate. This fictional character is under the promise that that she

conceives a must, “her promise to keep the home together as long as she could” (Joyce

22). Eveline is still tied to her past, and for that she does not look upon new horizons

trying to keep together a circumstance that is already falling into pieces.

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Altogether, in this story not only the oppression of a woman is displayed but also

how this woman is oppressed, which forces work together to make her commit

decisions, and what aspects are presented towards the setting to create the emphasis.

Sacrifices are trials that characters have to pay in order to fulfill certain promises or

repercussions of previous issues. The setting plays a distinct role within the literary

work since it is the root where all the problems and situations are presented. Also, the

former sounds the decay and detriment society what lives at that time in the

disadvantageous Ireland. This physical space, along with symbols, sound a different

appreciation of the atmosphere for the reader to immerse its reading in the ultimate

environment of the story. Similarly, not only the tangible space but also invisible

characters and events from the past equally help the unveil the issues that Eveline must

face. Present characters within the story, like Eveline’s father, easily represent an

oppressive and a superior role towards the weak part, an ultimate symbol of England

chocking Ireland with its bigger power.

Eveline’s picture is like a being that is so frightened that does not have the

courage to express her inner desires, she practically does nothing until the end when

finally decides for the worst part and hence betrays herself. Ultimately, Eveline is given

with all the characteristics and events for her to go ahead and jump out of her miserable

life and face the real issue, although what is unveiled is a shy not being able to

communicate her actual fear and, in that way, freeing herself from the obscure past that

surrounds her. Joyce’s “Eveline” delineates a suffering being who grieves a lot. A

contrast that can definitely prove a distinction working as a reference to Ireland and its

oppression by England. Therefore, a sociological paralysis is presented when Eveline

(Ireland) decides not to go abroad and remains as she is in services of her father

(England).
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Works Cited

Joyce, James. Dubliners. Garland, 1977.