EVELINE (Kaleidoscope)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

James Joyce, in full James Augustine Aloysius Joyce, (born 1882, Dublin, Ireland—died 1941, Zürich, Switzerland), Irish novelist noted for his experimental use of language and exploration of new literary methods in such large works of fiction as ULYSSES (1922) and FINNEGANS WAKE (1939).
Cretonne -a community in Italy, a place in Italy
Clacking- snapping
Crunching-chewing
Cinder - clinker, residue
Invariable-constant, unchangeable
Squabble-quarrel, dispute
Drudgery- too much of labour
Bonnet- hood
Mused- pondered, thought
Quay – dockside, harbour
Fervent-intense
Maze of distress - "maze of distress" is that she feels lost, not knowing which way to turn. Should she go with Frank onto the boat or should she stay home?

1. Why did Eveline review all the familiar objects of the house?

Eveline reviewed all the familiar objects at home because she was feeling nostalgic as she was going to leave the house with her lover Frank. All the beautiful and joyous memories of her childhood days flashed in front of her eyes.

2. Where was Eveline planning to go?
Eveline was planning to go to Argentina with his lover Frank and settle in Buenos Aires.

3. Who are Patagonians?

The Patagones or Patagonian giants were a race of giant humans rumoured to be living in Patagonia and described in early European accounts and indigenous myths. They were said to have exceeded at least double normal human height, with some accounts giving heights of 12 to 15 feet (3.7 to 4.6 m) or more.

4. What significance did Eveline find in the organ players appearance on the day she had decided to leave?
The organ player's appearance reminded Eveline of the street organ that played on the night before her mother's death and the kind of life her mother lived. As she resolved to leave, she recalled the promise made to her mother before her death. She promised her to keep the home together as long as she could.

5. Describe the conflict of emotions in Eveline on the day she was about to elope with Frank?

When Eveline decided to elope with Frank, the memories of her happy days, her childhood, her mother and her siblings came all of a sudden in front of her eyes. She felt nostalgic about the memories of her childhood and of all the people, Harry, Ernest and all of them who have left her house. She also remembered a few good memories with her abusive father and she also mentions that if she leaves her father will miss her, deep in her heart she loved he father even though he gave her a unhappy life.

6. Why do you think Eveline let go the opportunity to escape?

The masterstroke on Joyce’s part is refraining from telling us precisely what makes Eveline stay in Dublin at the end of the story. It may be a filial duty to her father and brother that makes her turn back. She had a nostalgic attachment to Ireland, and the happy memories that it carries for her, she thought of Harry and Earnest, Earnest was dead and Harry left the house long back and emigrated to England. The music played by the organ reminded her mother and she was continuously haunted by the promise made to her mother. She was caught amidst a tangle of mixed up emotions.

7. Was Eveline indecisive explain with reference to the story?

As the time for eloping cam nearer she felt distressed and turned pale. She prayed God to help he in ding her duties. She felt a sense of nausea and cried out of anguish. She felt a lot of pain on the thought of deserting her family members.

8. What is the central theme of the story?
The story is based on the emotions of conflict between responsibilities and personal happiness.

9. James Joyce is showing how conditioning and religious training works in human life. Explain with reference to the text.

Eveline in the end of the story Prays God to tell her what her "duty" is, foreshadows what will happen. Of course, once she frames the question that way, in terms of God and "duty," the answer is clear: she will stay behind. The story shows, therefore, in that statement, how a life time of conditioning and religious training to do her duty will keep her in place, even though she will be miserable staying in her father's house in Dublin.