Eveline - Analysis of setting:

The extract "Eveline" is taken from "The Dubliners", a short story written by James Joyce in 1914, in which Dublin represents the centre of paralysis, and the Dubliners are inactive people who do not have the courage to change their situation.

In the first sequence of the extract, Eveline is sat at the window looking out at the evening which was invading the street. The introduction is told in the past, but the narrator is describing Eveline's actions.

In the second sequence Eveline looks out of the window to the field where she played with other children when she was young, but suddenly her attention goes to the present and to her situation: she has to live her house. 

Space is the same of sequence one: Eveline is in a room in her house; time is represented by the past (Eveline's memories) and by present (Eveline's feelings and emotions).

In sequence three Eveline returns to the present, looking through the room, to her familiar objects from which, she never imagined, she would have to separate.

In the fourth paragraph Eveline asks herself if she had made a correct choice leaving her house. So time is represented again by the past, because she returns with her mind and feelings, on when she was young and she thinks her father was better with her brothers than with her. For this reason she imagines an happy future with her boyfriend Frank. Space in this case, is represented by Eveline's house and the shop where she worked.

In the fifth sequence Eveline thinks to a day in which Frank brought her to the theatre to see "Bohéme"; she thinks he is a nice boy even if it is strange for her having a boyfriend, but she begins to like him. 

Time: past (Eveline's memories) 

Space is represented by Frank's house, the theatre and the place the boy describes to Eveline.

In the sixth sequence Eveline directs her thoughts towards her father: she says he always preferred her brothers, but she admits sometimes he was also nice with her. She remembers when she was ill her father read her a ghost's story and prepared her some sandwiches, or another time when her mother was alive, her all family went on Howth mountains for a picnic and her father wore Eveline's mother hat to make the children laugh.

In this paragraph past is the principal time, and space is symbolized by Eveline's house, by the street in front of her, and by Howth mountains.

In the seventh sequence she describes time's passing. She is sat on the window thinking about her mother's last words: she should not leave the house.

Time: past (her mother's illness) 

Space: her house

In the eight sequence she suddenly realises what she has to do: she will leave with Frank but she is afraid by other people' judgement, but at the same time Frank is her single salvation. 

Time: present (Eveline's situation).

In the last paragraph Eveline is with Frank in the middle of people standing in North Wall's station. He is telling her something about the imminent travel, but she does not hear at him because she is absorbed in her thoughts. Suddenly the boat blew a long mournful whistle in the mist. Frank sais her they have to go but she refuses. Finally he goes on the boat and she stays on the station: she could not leave with him. 

Time: present (Eveline's decision: she could not leave with Frank) 

Space: North Wall's station, the boat, Eveline's house).