JAMES JOYCE

DUBLINERS, 1914

EVELINE - structural analysis

The extract I'm going to analyse is composed by sixteen sequences.

                The first sequence covers the first three lines of the present text and it introduces the opening situation: the protagonist looks outside the window, she is tired.

                The second sequence goes from line 4 to 21. In the present paragraph James Joyce focuses the reader's attention on the external world, which conveys the visual idea of grey.

Silent seems broken by the onomatopoeic sound made by the footsteps of a man. Interesting is to notice that the only novelty are "the new houses", that are symbolically red: symbol for blood.

The intelligent reader understands that Eveline is thinking and going back to her past. As a consequence the repetition of the syntactical form used to underlines her life made of habits. Eveline's memory goes back to her childhood. The protagonist realises that everything is changed and now she would leave her home.

Right from the start of the third sequence, which goes from line 22 to 32, Eveline is come back to the present. She looks around her and thinks about all the familiar objects, in particular she concentrates on a photograph hung on the wall.

The fourth sequence covers lines from 33 to 43. Eveline thinks about the consequences of her choice and what would her colleagues say when they find out that she is run away with a fellow. She would be considered a fool and her place would be filled up by advertisement.

In the fifth sequence, that goes from line 44 to 72, Eveline thinks about her life and about the reasons that would convince her to change. She feels sometimes herself in danger because of her father's violence. Now she has nobody that protect her, one of her brothers is dead and Harry, the other one, is away.

Her present situation is very complicated but now that she was about to leave it, she does not find it a wholly undesirable life. The protagonist appears not ready to be free because it implies responsibilities. She is unable to decide because she does not know what is right and what is wrong.

                The sixth sequence goes from line 73 to 97. Eveline thinks about Frank, her lover. He is kind, manly and open-hearted. She would come away with him in Buenos Ayres. She reminds when they met the first time and some episodes that made her happy. Frank has an experience as sailor and he always tells her about his experience.

                The seventh sequence covers only two lines but it is very important because Eveline's father has quarrelled with Frank and she has to meet her lover secretly.

                The following sequence goes from line 100 to 108. Eveline has written two letters: one is to her brother Harry and the other to her father.

She has noticed her father is becoming old and she is afraid because he would miss her. She reminds some episodes when her father was cute and nice.

                In the ninth sequence, which goes from line 109 to 119, Eveline is still sit by the window. The present situation underlines her inability to react, to make any independent decision. She does anything to solve her situation.

The external world reminds her of the promise to her mother to keep the home together as long as she can.

                In the tenth sequence, that goes from line 120 to 124, Eveline reminds her mother's personality and what she always told her.

                In the eleventh sequence that covers lines from 125 to 129, she seems to be more convinced. She must escape with Frank because he would save her.

                In the twelfth sequence, that goes from line 130 to 142, the protagonist is not at home but in the port of Dublin. She feels pale, she is scared by novelty. She prays to God to direct her. If she goes, the following day she will be on the sea with her lover.

From the use of the language the intelligent reader can understand the insecurity of Eveline, she is so anxious.

                In the thirteenth sequence, that covers the following two lines (143-144), she hears a bell that makes a loud noise in her heart and she feels Frank seize her hand.

In the present sequence Eveline is in the middle of an emotional crisis.

                In the following sequences Frank continues to call her but she is still confused and unable to act.

                In the last paragraph Frank rushes beyond the barrier and calls his lover to follow. But Eveline is still passive. Her eyes give him no sign of love or farewell. She does not follow him.  

The present short story is told from two different points of view:

•1.       Narrator's point of view: where the simple past is used

•2.       Eveline's internal point of view: where the syntactic structures: used to, past perfect, costruction of would to or was going to do are used.

The setting is essential because it contributes to the mood of narrative. In the short story the intelligent reader can distinguish:

•1.       An external setting which is frightening and unacceptable

•2.       An internal setting: Eveline's poverty

•3.       A mental setting: Eveline's objects of remembrance

The short story is written in third person omniscient narrator.

Omniscient because he knows everything even what crosses Eveline's mind.