An examination of EvelineIn “Dubliners” by James Joyce, Eveline is undoubtedly one of the most endearing characters. She was forced into the role of housewife after her mother's death. Her father's violent nature, along with these new responsibilities, leave Eveline struggling to find meaning in her life and to overcome her existential emptiness and fear of change. However, Eveline is unable to overcome her anticipatory anxiety. Instead of deciding, she becomes a victim of her own paralysis as she remains completely still and silent, as if mentally absent. These above-mentioned events have a major impact on Eveline. One of the main things that affects Eveline is her search for meaning and her paralysis. After her mother's death, she was forced into the role of pseudo-housewife. On her deathbed, her mother asked her to "keep the house together as long as possible." This promise made by Eveline would keep her clinging to the past and alive in her memories. Eveline constantly returned to a time when her home life “wasn't so bad” and when her mother was still alive. Things were changing so fast. With her life changing rapidly and little to no hope in sight, she finds comfort and a chance to escape into Frank's arms. Joyce, however, provides so little information about Frank that the reader cannot make an informed decision about him. He seems like a nice guy, but his occupation (as his father clearly stated), the plays he takes her to, and his general manner show that Frank may be a shady person. Who knows what awaits her when she arrives in Buenos Aires? Eveline's possible meaning through her love for Frank never develops due to her fear of change and the unknown. Joyce attempts to show us E...... middle of paper ...... that if she doesn't embrace change or the unknown she will be trapped both mentally and physically. As a wise man once said, nothing ventured, nothing gained. In conclusion, Eveline is a very endearing character. She is a woman trapped in a vicious cycle of abuse and forced into a totalitarian state of mind. This abuse causes Eveline to become a very passive person and creates an existential void. He longs for a simpler time where his home life was better and where his father wasn't so bad. He lives in the past through his memories and continues to try to keep a promise he made to his mother on her deathbed. Her life is changing so much, yet she remains the same. Living in the past and being afraid of change gives rise to anticipatory anxiety. She wants to leave but her fears keep her trapped. She, just like that photo and the harmonium, is fading and breaking.