Eveline: Question #2

Analysis of "Eveline" by James Joyce
Question #2

What in Eveline's present circumstances makes it desirable for her to escape her home? Characterize her father and and Miss Gavan, her supervisor. What does the memory of her mother contribute to her decision to leave?

Presently, Eveline wishes to escape for various reasons. For instance, everyone she had grown up with had moved on, so she sees that it is her time as well: "Everything changes. Now she was going to go away like the others, to leave her home" (Joyce, 218). Secondly, Eveline hates her job at the Stores. She is not fond of her boss Miss Gavan and is sure that her working life would be one aspect of her current life that "she would not cry many tears at leaving" (Joyce, 219). Moreover, her father is abusive. Just as he had beat her mother and brothers, he now threatens to beat her as well. Lastly, Eveline has also found a lover, Frank, whom she knows can "save her" and help her to start life anew (Joyce, 221).
Both Eveline's father and supervisor are figures of authority in her life toward whom she is resentful. Both are demeaning toward Eveline. For instance, Eveline describes Miss Gavan as always having "an edge on her, especially when there were people listening." Eveline goes on to bluntly state that she would not miss life at the Stores.
Eveline's father is characterized almost like an alcoholic. Eveline's descriptions make him out to be a good man at heart with whom she has few very memories (picnic when younger, him taking care of her while she was sick), but who can be extremely violent when angered. Eveline mentions his beating of her other family members and the threats he began to make toward her. He is also very dependent on Eveline to provide for the family, especially after his wife passed way. He seems like a lost and depressed individual.
The memory of her mother's death ultimately pushes Eveline to "escape." "As she mused the pitiful vision of her mother's life laid its spell on the very quick of her being-that life of commonplace sacrifices closing in final craziness" (Joyce, 221). Eveline's desire to evade a similar fate gives her the final impulse to escape.