Learning Paths » 5B Interacting
RContin - Modernist Fiction. V. Woolf and J. Joyce - Eveline's Sequences Analysis
by - (2012-01-24)
Up to 5B - Modernist Fiction. V. Woolf and J. Joyce
EVELINE’S SEQUENCES ANALYSIS
Eveline, by James Joyce, is a short story belonging to Dubliners.
It presents two main sequences: the first one develops in the first 129 lines and it deals with Eveline’s thoughts about her past, present and future life. It is set in Eveline’s house where she is sitting at the window watching outside and thinking about what she is going to do and how it could change her life. The second sequence consists of the last 25 lines of the story. Time and setting are different: Eveline is going to board with her lover but her fears stop her.
The first sequence develops as the stream of consciousness in Eveline’s mind. She is considering her present situation but the questions she asks herself lead her to resume old memories and to image future circumstances. So the sequence’s function is to show how all time levels could come together in the human mind and shape character’s feelings, emotions and decisions.
The effect of the stream of consciousness in Eveline’s mind appears in the second sequence: Eveline was sure about her decision to run away with Frank but in the precise moment she has to realize her choice she is stopped by her inner fears, resulting from her thinking in the previous night.
The relationship between the two sequences reveals as thoughts hidden in human mind could affect choices in the ordinary life.
The story is narrated by a third person narrator. The narrative technique used especially in the first sequence is the inner monologue. According to the narrative technique the narrator seems to identify himself with the Eveline’s character.
Eveline, by James Joyce, is a short story belonging to Dubliners.
It presents two main sequences: the first one develops in the first 129 lines and it deals with Eveline’s thoughts about her past, present and future life. It is set in Eveline’s house where she is sitting at the window watching outside and thinking about what she is going to do and how it could change her life. The second sequence consists of the last 25 lines of the story. Time and setting are different: Eveline is going to board with her lover but her fears stop her.
The first sequence develops as the stream of consciousness in Eveline’s mind. She is considering her present situation but the questions she asks herself lead her to resume old memories and to image future circumstances. So the sequence’s function is to show how all time levels could come together in the human mind and shape character’s feelings, emotions and decisions.
The effect of the stream of consciousness in Eveline’s mind appears in the second sequence: Eveline was sure about her decision to run away with Frank but in the precise moment she has to realize her choice she is stopped by her inner fears, resulting from her thinking in the previous night.
The relationship between the two sequences reveals as thoughts hidden in human mind could affect choices in the ordinary life.
The story is narrated by a third person narrator. The narrative technique used especially in the first sequence is the inner monologue. According to the narrative technique the narrator seems to identify himself with the Eveline’s character.