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RContin - Modernist Fiction. V. Woolf and J. Joyce - Eveline's Tenses Analysis
by - (2012-01-26)
Up to 5B - Modernist Fiction. V. Woolf and J. Joyce
EVELINE – FUNCTION OF THE PAST TENSES
In the short story Eveline by James Joyce past tenses and verbal forms related to the past are frequently used. The story is set in the past so all the verbal forms are conjugated in the past.
The simple past is generally used to describe situations and actions completely done in the past. In Eveline’s story the simple past is used to express Eveline’s memories.
The use of the form “to be used to” expresses actions that no longer exist in the present. Its use is very frequent when Eveline is remembering her past; the use of this tense lets the reader understand that Eveline lives in her memories and that she is swayed by them.
The writer also uses the past perfect, which normally expresses an action occurred prior to the past situation of reference. Eveline thinks about what she had done and tries to convince herself her actions and her choses were right.
Furthermore there is the use of the past progressive, which reveals Eveline’s intention of doing something but she never realize her plans. So the purpose is in contrast with the lack of concrete actions.
In the short story Eveline by James Joyce past tenses and verbal forms related to the past are frequently used. The story is set in the past so all the verbal forms are conjugated in the past.
The simple past is generally used to describe situations and actions completely done in the past. In Eveline’s story the simple past is used to express Eveline’s memories.
The use of the form “to be used to” expresses actions that no longer exist in the present. Its use is very frequent when Eveline is remembering her past; the use of this tense lets the reader understand that Eveline lives in her memories and that she is swayed by them.
The writer also uses the past perfect, which normally expresses an action occurred prior to the past situation of reference. Eveline thinks about what she had done and tries to convince herself her actions and her choses were right.
Furthermore there is the use of the past progressive, which reveals Eveline’s intention of doing something but she never realize her plans. So the purpose is in contrast with the lack of concrete actions.