The Decision

            The main conflict that Eveline goes through is whether to stay in Dublin or to go away with Frank.  She goes over the benefits of staying and those of leaving.  And, considering that she goes to the dock with Frank, all signs seem to point to her departure.   The scene where she chooses to stay reveals is a key one that reveals something about her, explains her sudden decision, and calls into question Frank's goodness. 

            One observation she makes while walking with Frank is that the station was, “full of soldiers with brown baggages” (29).  Dubliners was published in 1914, the same year that World War I started.  Maybe Joyce is alluding to that war.  But it also might have roots within the Irish Revolution.  The latter option could point to some sort of colonial British force.  The appearance of soldiers could also contribute to her paralysis if it is how her brother, Ernest died.  The brown bags is also ominous because of their association with death within the rest of the novel.  No matter what this is a slightly disturbing image of soldiers in Ireland.

            The scene also very obviously points out her helplessness.  When trying to figure out what to do she, “prayed to God to direct her, to show her what was her duty” (29).  Eveline seems to use the Church and doctrine as a crutch, hoping it will solve her difficult problem.  But even as she seems to be weak in waffling on her decision, when she finally chooses, she doesn’t allow herself to be forced into a situation she doesn’t want to be.  Is Eveline as weak a character as we thought?  And doesn’t her desire to do her duty at least mean she’s trying to be a virtuous person?

            Finally, Frank’s violence near the end contrasts the past courtship.  He takes her to the theater, walks her home, and seems like an overall nice guy.  But at the end, he “seize[d] her hand” when trying to pull her onto the boat (29).  Even though they had been holding hands before, it had been described as such—more tender than forceful.  Does this sudden violent change in Frank imply that all men, not just men of Dublin, are violent?