Paralysis

1. Eveline - Theme
James Joyce’s Dubliners

2. Eveline - Theme
Thesis Statement
Through the means of religious symbolism and
allusion, domestic oppression, and social
subjugation, the idea of paralysis drives the
story of "Eveline."

3. Eveline - Theme
Paralysis
In most of the stories in Dubliners, a character
has a desire, faces obstacles to it, then
ultimately relents and suddenly stops all action.
These moments of paralysis show the
characters’ inability to change their lives and
reverse the routines that hamper their wishes.

4. Eveline - Theme
Paralysis
Eveline appears throughout the story literary paralyzed, in
a static position, either sitting down or standing, but not
moving; she does not move metaphorically either, she
seems to be stuck in life, unable to move forward;and she
is also linguistically paralyzed, since she is unable to
express her feelings and thoughts.

5. Eveline - Theme
Domestic Oppression
Domestic violence causes paralysis, too, because Eveline
is torn between escaping the abuse of her father, and
her worry about her brother's state if she leaves.
Eveline fears that the father may abuse the boy if she
departs
Because Eveline has been in a submissive position so
long, and it is all she has known, she is afraid to leave
it:

6. Eveline - Theme
Religious Symbolism
Eveline's name which is a derivative of "Eve." With her biblical name, little
Eve, or Eveline, must make a spiritual choice between the "good" devotion
of a daughter and the potential evil of running off unmarried with a man.
Influence of her religion upon Eveline is what causes her paralysis because
the girl is torn between being a "good" daughter or one who sins by going
off with a man.
Religious duty - made promises to Blessed Margaret Mary Alaconque on
behalf of her mother - to look after the family
Just before she is about to leave Ireland, “She prayed to God to direct
her....A bell clanged upon her heart."
Trapped by guilt associated with shame of leaving family - Catholicism

7. Eveline - Theme
Social Subjugation
She doesn’t feel respected in Dublin - Bullied by staff at
her job
She thinks marriage is the only way for a female to
become respected in society