Importance of Setting in Eveline of James Joyces Dubliners :: Dubliners Essays

Eveline  The Importance of Setting               Setting is one of the most signifi pratt elements in a story. The screen background goes far beyond the simple physical attributes and extraneous face value. It seems Eveline solely takes place in Dublin in an old room, but the setting actu eachy plays a key role in the story. The setting in Eveline helps the reader to better understand the behavior of the main character. The setting in Eveline is paralyzing, and this helps the reader to understand why Eveline does not go with Frank to Buenos Aires. In the majority of the story Eveline sat at the window, (512) which parallels with her paralysis because she does not move. Eveline was going to go a trend interchangeable the others (512) because she was one of the only people left in Dublin from her childhood. However, Eveline doesnt go since she is trapped in her setting. Almost nothing in Evelines setting ever changes througho ut her life. The significance of Eveline looking around the room reviewing all its familiar objects (512) is that she never dreamed of being divided from them. All around her Eveline had those she had know all her life about her (512). Eveline is a product of her environment. The reader can see how the setting never changes, Evelines life molds to it. This explains the reason for her not going away and starting a much happier life.  It is extremely hard for her to make the decisiveness of whether or not to go with Frank because she only knows one way. Eveline understands that she has a hard life,(513) and she has the chance to go to a place where it would not be like that (513). However, it scares Eveline to change her setting. After thinking about leaving she did not find her present setting as wholly undesirable (513) as she previously did. The last mentioned part of Eveline is set by the sea. This sea is a symbol of rejuvenation for Eveline. Much like in The Awakening by Kat e Chopin, the sea is a way to escape life. All the seas of the world tumble around her heart, (515) and Eveline is unable to flee from her life to go away with Frank. Evelines mind has been subconsciencly designed by her environment, and she cant imagine keep life any other way. Eveline is so confused and doesnt know what is holding her back, but something is.