Eveline

"Eveline" by James Joyce

"Her eyes have him no sign of love or farewell or recognition" (Joyce, 222).

The entire plot of the story was confusing. The narrator isn't definite on her decision to leave an abusive household. Why not leave? Her mother clearly warned her to leave as soon as she could in order to prevent herself from ending up like her mother. Why wouldn't she take the advice to leave? The attachment Eveline has to her home is understandable but it was just her and her abusive father. The siblings she had had already escaped the home and Eveline is given her chance. I also understand her worries of leaving to another country with a man she barely knows. Anything could be better than her home life and leaving is another chance at a better life. Even if she doesn't love the man, she can give it a shot in the new place. I believe Eveline decides to stay and not go. The last line alludes that she doesn't have any feelings towards Frank so why would she go but why does he need a goodbye as well. She has no feelings toward him and therefore has no need to follow him or give him anything of her. She seems to feel love more from her abusive father than Frank and would stay for the need of love.