In the following text I would like to give an approach to the paralysis of the main character in James Joyce’s short story Eveline. In doing so, I will take a look at the origin and the consequences of her paralysis and the different roles she has to play as a woman. In addition I’m going to examine the relationships that she has to the people in her closer environment i. e. her father and her “lover” Frank.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Main Part
2.1 The term “paralysis”
2.2 Origin of her analysis
2.3 Consequences of her paralysis
3. Relationships to the people in her closer environment
3.1 Relationship to her father
3.2 Relationship to Frank/Frank as a serious alternative?
4. Eveline’s different roles as a woman
5. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This work explores the psychological and social state of "paralysis" experienced by the protagonist Eveline in James Joyce's short story. It investigates the underlying causes of her inability to act, focusing on the influence of patriarchal norms, familial burdens, and abusive relationships.
- The concept of paralysis within the Dubliners collection.
- The role of the promise made to a dying mother as a psychological trap.
- Analysis of the abusive relationship between Eveline and her father.
- Evaluation of Frank as a potential escape route vs. the reality of the protagonist's internal conflict.
- The impact of gender roles and naming on self-identity.
Excerpt from the Book
2.2 Origin of the paralysis
This absolute inability to act is most clearly shown in the lack of real external action. In the whole story there is only one single action. Eveline sits at the window looking out on the street. She is thinking about her past life, about her present situation and even has visions about her future. Finally Eveline remembers her mother’s death and the promise she gave her “to keep the household together as long as she could”3. Obviously still deeply touched by this rememberance her heart starts to tremble and “She stood up in a sudden impulse of terror” (p. 41).
This is the only time when she leaves the so called “stasis”, i. e. she leaves her predominately passiveness. Eveline knows that this “life of commonplace sacrifices”(p. 41) has finally led to her mother’s craziness and death and she senses that her fate will be similar if she does not leave the narrowness of her home. But at the same time, the promise comes to her mind.
This dilemma can be regarded as one strong reason for Eveline’s paralysis: On the one hand she knows that not leaving her home will lead to a life like her mother’s, but on the other hand she cannot easily break the promise she gave to her mother lying on the death-bed. Seen in an objective light, this task, and everything included in it, demanded by the mother is a rather tough one for a young woman like Eveline. However she really sacrifices herself in trying to fullfill the promise. She is the only child that is still at home and in many aspects she has to replace her mother. She cleans and tidies up the house, she is responsible for the meals and she even earns money for the family by working in a store. What else could she do?
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Presents the approach to analyzing the protagonist's paralysis in James Joyce’s short story, outlining the themes of familial relationships and patriarchal constraints.
2. Main Part: Explores the term "paralysis" as a lack of ability to act caused by ideological and social circumstances, the origin of this state through her mother's promise, and the resulting consequences.
3. Relationships to the people in her closer environment: Discusses the paradox of Eveline's relationship with her abusive, alcohol-addicted father and evaluates whether Frank represents a viable escape from her situation.
4. Eveline’s different roles as a woman: Examines how the different names given to the protagonist throughout the story reflect the loss of her self-identity and the conflicting duties forced upon her.
5. Conclusion: Summarizes that deep-seated obedience to patriarchal structures and the internal conflict between duty and personal desire result in Eveline’s inability to escape her misery.
Keywords
Eveline, James Joyce, paralysis, patriarchy, Dubliners, gender roles, submissiveness, family trauma, identity, literary analysis, short story, stasis, domestic abuse, psychological, obedience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this academic paper?
The paper provides a literary analysis of the paralysis affecting the main character, Eveline, in the short story by James Joyce.
What are the central thematic fields explored?
The work examines themes such as patriarchal oppression, the loss of self-identity, familial responsibility, and the struggle between personal desire and duty.
What is the primary objective of the study?
The primary goal is to explain why Eveline is unable to break free from her life in Dublin, attributing her paralysis to social, ideological, and psychological factors.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The author uses a qualitative literary analysis approach, incorporating references to feminist and Lacanian critical perspectives on Joyce’s work.
What topics are discussed in the main part?
The main part covers the redefinition of "paralysis" within the context of the story, the influence of the promise made to her mother, and the negative impact of her relationships with her father and Frank.
Which keywords characterize this analysis?
Key terms include Eveline, James Joyce, paralysis, patriarchy, identity, submissiveness, and family trauma.
How does the author interpret the names used for the protagonist?
The author argues that the different names assigned to Eveline by others denote her fragmentation and lack of a stable, independent self-identity.
What role does the mother play in Eveline's paralysis?
The author concludes that the mother bears some responsibility by forcing a promise upon Eveline to sacrifice herself for the family, despite knowing the abusive nature of the father.
- Quote paper
- Florian Wenz (Author), 2005, James Joyce: Dubliners - Eveline’s state of paralysis with special regard to her different roles she has to play as a woman, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/192715
