Stay? Go? She Didn't Know!

James Joyce writes a disturbing story, "Eveline," where a problematic girl stays in her problematic world instead of venturing off with her love Frank. Eveline's childhood sounds rocky, as her father lost his temper often and came home drunk. Remarkably, her mother's last words sum up the theme of the story: "Derevaun Seraun" or "The end of pleasure is pain." What a dreadful statement yet seemingly true in Eveline's case. She finds love and happiness and acceptance in Frank; she finds excitement in the prospect of eloping with him. Yet despite her battered past, Eveline stays. She clings to the side of the boat, as if she were clinging to a world she will never know. She remains at home to fulfill her mother's dying wish for Eveline to keep the house together as long as she could. Eveline stays out of fear, like an abused woman convincing herself it is okay to leave her abusive spouse or family, only to find in the end she is kept home by some unyielding force.