2. Eveline - Short Stories - Class 12 - Kaleidoscope

Jul 8
5 min read

Updated: Jul 9

Author: James Joyce

Textbook: Kaleidoscope

Genre: Short Story / Psychological Fiction

Summary

“Eveline” is a poignant short story from James Joyce’s Dubliners, portraying the inner conflict of a young woman caught between duty and desire. Eveline, a nineteen-year-old girl living in Dublin, plans to elope with her lover Frank, a sailor who promises a new life in Buenos Aires. Tired of her dreary domestic life, harsh father, and dead-end job, Eveline yearns for escape. However, as the time to depart nears, memories of her childhood, her promise to her dying mother, and her fear of the unknown overwhelm her. At the dock, while Frank urges her to board the ship, Eveline is paralyzed by fear and indecision. She ultimately refuses to go, gripped by a powerful emotional paralysis. Her face turns passive and lifeless, showing no emotion even as Frank calls her name. The story ends with Eveline standing still, choosing the familiarity of her painful life over the uncertainty of freedom and love.

Character Sketch

Eveline:

Eveline is a 19-year-old girl who appears passive, emotionally torn, and burdened by responsibility. Though she dreams of happiness and a new life with Frank, her loyalty to her family and her promise to her mother create internal conflict. She is dutiful, fearful of change, and ultimately unable to break free from the chains of her past. Her paralysis at the dock symbolizes her inability to act, leaving her trapped in a life of resignation.

Themes

Theme	Description
Paralysis and Inaction	Eveline is unable to make a decision and act on it, a central theme in Joyce’s Dubliners.
Conflict Between Duty and Freedom	Eveline is torn between her familial responsibilities and the chance of personal happiness.
Fear of the Unknown	Her fear of change prevents her from embracing a new life with Frank.
Oppression of Women	The story highlights how women are often trapped by social, emotional, and familial expectations.
Nostalgia and Memory	Eveline’s reflections on the past influence her inability to move forward.

✨ Literary Devices / Poetic Devices

Device	Example	Effect
Symbolism	The window, the dusty cretonne, the sea	Represent indecision, monotony, and vast uncertainty.
Imagery	“A bell clanged upon her heart”	Evokes emotional turmoil and fear.
Metaphor	“All the seas of the world tumbled upon her heart”	Symbolizes the emotional pressure and fear of drowning in new responsibilities.
Simile	“Like a helpless animal”	Reflects Eveline’s emotional paralysis and helplessness.
Repetition	“Come! Come!”	Builds tension and shows Frank’s urgency.

Title Justification

The title “Eveline” centers the narrative around the inner world of the protagonist. Through her thoughts, memories, and emotional struggle, the story gives voice to the silent dilemma of a young woman caught between loyalty and liberation. The use of just her name makes it intimate and personal, highlighting that this is not just a story of leaving home but a deeper psychological conflict. The title suits the story’s focus on Eveline’s paralysis and her inability to change the course of her life.

One-Mark Questions

Why did Eveline feel nervous about leaving home?
Though she longed for freedom, she was afraid of the unknown and burdened by memories and responsibilities. The fear of abandoning her family and her mother’s promise made her hesitant.
What did Eveline hope for in her new life with Frank?
She hoped for respect, happiness, and escape from her oppressive home life. She believed marriage would offer her a fresh start.
Why did Eveline think of her mother on the night of departure?
The tune of the organ reminded her of her dying mother and the promise she had made to her to keep the home together. This memory triggered guilt and emotional paralysis.
Why did Eveline feel conflicted about her father?
Although often violent and miserly, her father occasionally showed affection. This inconsistency deepened her emotional confusion.
Why does Eveline not respond to Frank at the dock?
She is overwhelmed by fear, duty, and emotional paralysis. Though her body is present, her willpower collapses, and she remains frozen.

Three-Mark Questions

What are the signs that show Eveline is emotionally paralysed?
Throughout the story, Eveline appears uncertain and filled with self-doubt. She looks out the window, reflecting on her past instead of focusing on her future. Even as she prepares to leave, she questions her decision repeatedly. At the dock, she becomes physically frozen and spiritually detached. Her refusal to respond to Frank's pleas shows her deep emotional paralysis.
How does Joyce depict the theme of duty versus personal freedom in the story?Eveline is caught between her desire to escape and her responsibilities toward her family. She dreams of a better life but cannot ignore the promise she made to her dying mother. Her sense of duty outweighs her own aspirations. The fear of hurting her father and abandoning the children in her care adds to her conflict. Ultimately, her inability to choose freedom highlights the burden of familial obligations.
What role do memory and nostalgia play in Eveline’s decision?
Eveline’s memories—of her childhood, her deceased mother, and her father’s occasional kindness—hold her back. Although her present life is difficult, she finds comfort in its familiarity. The memories of happier moments make her question her decision to leave. These recollections evoke guilt and uncertainty, leading her to abandon her escape. Joyce uses memory as a powerful force that binds Eveline to her past.

Value-Based Question

What message does the story convey about emotional courage and the consequences of indecision?

The story shows that emotional courage is essential for personal growth and freedom. Eveline lacks the strength to make a bold choice for her own happiness. Her inability to act leaves her trapped in an unchanging life. The story warns that indecision and fear can lead to regret and missed opportunities. Through Eveline’s silence and passivity, Joyce emphasizes the importance of confronting one’s fears to live meaningfully.

End

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