MODERNIST LITERATURE

Eveline – from Ulysses by James Joyce

Participants:
● Arroyo Cruz, Elong
● More Acevedo, Hillary
● Pachas De la cruz, Camila
● Ruiz Villegas, Gabriela
● Santamaria Montalbán, Fiorella

1. What significance does dust have and why is it mentioned so often in Joyce’s story
“Eveline” ?
It represents the monotony in Eveline’s life. She repeated the same routine every day, doing
chores and cleaning. And no matter how much she cleaned, the dust would reappear the next
day, that is, she could not get out of the life she had even though she wanted to.

2. How does Eveline‘s mother death influence on her last minute decision?
Eveline’s family wasn’t always in a fight or had bad relationships, but at the time she and her
mother had their last minute, her mother begged her to keep the family together despite all
trouble. Therefore, at the last minute before escaping, her mother’s last wish kept resonating in
her head, so she wouldn't leave her home.

3. What is the interior monologue in Eveline?

The novel presents Eveline’s thoughts and emotions as she struggles to make an important
decision in her life. She is bored with her life in Dublin, even though she wants to escape from
that monotony, she is afraid and is not sure about going to Buenos Aires with her secret love
Frank. Throughout the novel, readers can understand Eveline’s feelings through the Stream of
Consciousness technique.

4. What is the setting in the story in Eveline?

The setting goes past being located in Dublin, Ireland, in an old room. Most of the history takes
place with Eveline sitting by the window in a very dull room. Filled with the “smell of dusty
cretonne” from the curtains.
5. Analyze the relationship between Eveline and her father
Eveline’s father was an abusive man who mistreated her siblings and her, especially after her
mother’s death. He expected Eveline to do everything around the house and he used to keep
himself every shilling she earned at the Stores. She was treated like a servant and she also was
a victim of physical violence.

6. From which point of view is Eveline written?

It is written in third person, because it only focuses on Eveline’s thoughts and feelings, and the
narrator is omniscient as long as he or she is not considered as one of the characters of the
story.

7. Why does James Joyce describe Eveline as a helpless animal?

The author describes her as a helpless animal due to the traumas which vastly affected and
made her a passive and manipulable person. That is why at the end of the novel, despite her
desire to get out of that boring life, she remains attached to her family and decides not to go with
Frank.

8. What would have happened if Eveline had travelled to Buenos Aires with Frank?
She wouldn’t have had the same life her mother had, she would be married to him, people would
treat her with respect, she would have two children to take care of, and work to keep her new
house. But, at the same time, she would have broken the promise she had made to her mother
of her home together as long as she could.