Eveline

I thought that the story of Eveline was somewhat ironic and sad. Since the author James Joyce is from Dublin, Ireland, I think that Eveline's story can be connected to the struggle that many women experienced in Ireland during the time of the author. Even though Eveline is not happy at home because she deals with her abusive dad, she still has trouble deciding whether or not to leave. Her lover Frank, a sailor, wants her to marry him and move with him to Buenos Aires. Frank has done everything for her and has treated her well, yet she gets cold feet at the dock when they get ready to leave for their new life. Even though good times with her father occured less than the bad times, Eveline cannot stop thinking about the positive memories of her father. Also, I think Eveline feels tied down to her home and to her father because of her promise to her mom before her death. Personally, I feel bad for Frank in this situation. He has done everything right in their relationship, but he ends up getting the short end of the stick when Eveline leaves him at the dock for Buenos Aires. I think that this story is about seeing the difference between recognizing the need for change and actually making it happen as well as the comfort and connection to one's home.