NOTE: Free essay sample provided on this page should be used for references or sample purposes only. The sample essay is available to anyone, so any direct quoting without mentioning the source will be considered plagiarism by schools, colleges and universities that use plagiarism detection software. To get a completely brand-new, plagiarism-free essay, please use our essay writing service.
One click instant price quote
Troubled by the uncertainty of the future James Joyce s short story Eveline portrayed a young, timid girl who lacked the self-confidence she needed to begin a journey into another life. Hindered by her father s selfish and self-centered ways, Eveline was unable to decide whether or not a new life would be good for her. She was torn between the anguish of leaving home, her strong duty to her family, and the promise-filled new life she is bound to have. Although this new life seemed quite desirable to her, Eveline stood fearful and paralyzed when forced to make a decision. Throughout the story, she portrayed a helpless animal, who, lacked the self-confidence necessary to change her life forever. For most of her life, Eveline was the backbone of her home.
She dusted day after day, keeping the house together to the best of her ability. Not only did she fulfill her working capacity, but she also cared for the two young children that had been left to her responsibility. Eveline took care of the cooking and shopping duties as well as her father. She did what she was told and never gave a fuss about it. After some time, however, her father began to threaten her, and because of this, Eveline no longer felt protected.
She felt it was time to move on in hopes for a happier life. However, because of past promises and moral standards, Eveline made a choice to stay with the life that she had always known, whether it be unpleasant or not. The main cause for Eveline s actions was unquestionably the fault of her brutal, domineering and disrespectful father. Throughout most of her life, Eveline only knew her father.
He was supposed to be there for her through anything that she needed, as any father would. During some periods he was responsible, but as time went on, her father became nothing but an abusive drunk. At this point, Eveline was forced to fulfill the so-called sacred promise she had made to her mother. She had promised her mother that she would keep the house together for as long as she could.
Although this was a difficult promise to keep up with, Eveline did everything in her power to fulfill it. However, in order to do so, Eveline needed money, which she had a great deal of trouble obtaining from her father. He nearly blamed her of stealing, remarking, she used to squander the money, that she had no head, that he wasn t going to give her his hard-earned money to throw about the streets (5). Thoughts, such as these, that were put into Eveline s head only help to put her mind at a standstill. All Eveline could think about was the home and taking care of her father. These thoughts clouded her head and lowered her self-respect.
Any nineteen-year-old would want to get out and try new things; however, Eveline was stuck in her traditional role with only her imagination to lead her to places that she has only dreamed of going. Deserted in a life full of dust, Eveline could only search for the proper amount of love that she needed; love which was not given by her father. Eveline stayed insecure about her new life situation because of her father s opinion about Frank, her new love. She was afraid that if she left her father to be with Frank, he would be alone. Eveline knows that her father depends on her and that everything she does in life affects him.
Also, Eveline is afraid of being treated unfairly instead of with respect. She knows that her father treated her mother in this manner and is afraid that if she attempts to discover a new life, she will be treated similarly. Although Frank made Eveline feel good about herself, her insecurity took over her mind and made her think and feel otherwise. Frank knew that Eveline s home situation was unfair and he tried to prove to her that he could change her life and make it worth living for. He gave her hope for the future by being open with her and giving her the love that she needed. In spite of the fact that Frank treated her with respect, her father s abusive comments towards her relationship with him and the way that she lived tore her down.
After having been verbally abused by her father, Eveline started to believe some of the things that were said to her. She internalized them and in turn became mentally immobilized. Now Eveline couldn t make decisions properly because she began to think that she was not good enough to think clearly. This constant depression by her father just helped to lower her self-esteem. Eveline was truly a woman trapped by her past. She was insecure about her life and was very uncertain about the future.
Eveline knew, and told herself many times, that a life in her miserable home could not be as frightening as a brand new life with Frank. Eveline needed to overcome her past and look ahead to the future. She discovered that because she did not know what the future held, a dreary, patterned life could only be the right decision to make. Only through strong will and the encouragement of her new friend, Frank, could Eveline have ever hoped to escape the shadows of her past and find her true self-worth as a happy, loving woman. 332
Free research essays on topics related to: promise, insecure, frank, fulfill, eveline
Research essay sample on Change Her Life Love That She Needed Eveline
