James Joyce’s short story, “Eveline,” is about a woman who is faced with a difficult decision: to leave her mundane life behind and travel to Buenos Ayres with her mysterious boyfriend, or stay to fulfil the obligation of looking after her family. Throughout the story, Eveline reflects on her experiences from her past to make the final decision. In the end, Eveline’s trust issues caused her to be too fearful of the unknown, resulting in her final decision to stay. Eveline grew up in an abusive home her whole life. The abuse, mostly stemmed from the angry father who took out his pain on her. For example, “She sometimes felt herself in danger of her father’s violence,” (Joyce 3). He, “begun to threaten her and say what he would do to her only
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She was about to go to this strange country with Frank, whom she had known for a few months. Thus, Eveline starts to worry and questions herself about leaving with Frank, “Would it be wise,” (Joyce 3). Would it be sensible for her to leave her hometown where, “She had shelter and food; she had those whom she had known all her life about her,” (Joyce 3). Because, in Buenos Ayres she will not know anybody, only Frank. She does not even know if Buenos Ayres is as good as Frank says it is. Eveline mentions Frank’s, “Tales of distant countries,” (Joyce 5). Tales being the key word. There is no way Eveline could believe such outlandish “tales” that come from Frank’s mind. Even her own father comments on Frank 's deceitful tales, “I know these sailor chaps” (Joyce 5). He does not trust him, and implies they are not all like they seem. As some people say: it takes one to know one. So it takes and untrustworthy abusive man, like Eveline’s father, to know one, like Frank. Towards the end of the story Eveline starts to realize she could not trust Frank, “He would drown her,” (Joyce 6). She became anxious at the docks. “She felt her cheek pale and cold and, out of a maze of distress,” (Joyce 6). Finally, in the end, she decides to stay, giving Frank, “No sign of love or farewell or recognition,” (Joyce 6). Eveline could not trust Frank any more than she could trust her own
She was about to go to this strange country with Frank, whom she had known for a few months. Thus, Eveline starts to worry and questions herself about leaving with Frank, “Would it be wise,” (Joyce 3). Would it be sensible for her to leave her hometown where, “She had shelter and food; she had those whom she had known all her life about her,” (Joyce 3). Because, in Buenos Ayres she will not know anybody, only Frank. She does not even know if Buenos Ayres is as good as Frank says it is. Eveline mentions Frank’s, “Tales of distant countries,” (Joyce 5). Tales being the key word. There is no way Eveline could believe such outlandish “tales” that come from Frank’s mind. Even her own father comments on Frank 's deceitful tales, “I know these sailor chaps” (Joyce 5). He does not trust him, and implies they are not all like they seem. As some people say: it takes one to know one. So it takes and untrustworthy abusive man, like Eveline’s father, to know one, like Frank. Towards the end of the story Eveline starts to realize she could not trust Frank, “He would drown her,” (Joyce 6). She became anxious at the docks. “She felt her cheek pale and cold and, out of a maze of distress,” (Joyce 6). Finally, in the end, she decides to stay, giving Frank, “No sign of love or farewell or recognition,” (Joyce 6). Eveline could not trust Frank any more than she could trust her own