"Eveline" Analysis

“Eveline” underlines the theme of being trapped in one’s own life. Eveline traps herself in Dublin because she is hesitant to leave the place she knows best, despite her abusive father. Eveline is given the chance to free herself from her exhausting work schedule needed to support her family. Desiring to marry Eveline, Frank invites her to go off to Buenos Ayres to start over together. After her favorite brother and her mother died, and her other brother has moved away, Eveline finds herself stuck with her previously abusive father. Initially, she jumps at the thought of getting away from everything. “Escape! She must escape! Frank would save her. He would give her life, perhaps love, too. But she wanted to live. Why should she be unhappy” (33)? She is excited, but also anxious, about the decision she originally made. Although she is eager to escape Dublin, Eveline is somewhat hesitant of leaving with Frank and finds herself second-guessing her decision. She “prayed to God to direct her, to show her what was her duty” (33). Eveline’s “distress awoke a nausea in her body” (34). Surprisingly, as the boat leaves for Buenos Ayres, Eveline makes her decision and stays in her hometown of Dublin to remain with her father. Even though Eveline is not completely satisfied with her life in Dublin with her father, she is doubtful of leaving to marry Frank in Buenos Ayres.