Eveline Essay introduction and outline

In James Joyce’s “Eveline,” Joyce uses the symbols of dust and water to show the crucial decision that Eveline has to make. The symbol of dust demonstrates the time passing by her without change showing her resentment for change. The night invading her on the night when she must make her decision represents how she does not want to have to make this struggling decision. Joyce uses the indecisive girl to help us understand the challenge faced by many to struggle to make an important decision.

I. The dust at Eveline’s window symbolizes her static lifestyle, which gave light on her dislike for change making her decision more difficult.


a. “She looked around the room, reiewing all of its familiar objects which she had dusted once a week for so many years, wondering where on earth all the dust came from.”


b. “Her time was running out but she continued to sit by the window, leaning her head against the window curtain, inhaling the odour of dusty cretonne”


II. Night symbolizes invading her time left and the past that affects her decision.


a. “She sat at the window watching the evening invade the avenue”


b. “She remembered the last night of her mother's illness; she was again in the close dark room at the other side of the hall and outside she heard a melancholy air of Italy”