James Joyce made a statement to publisher Grant Richards, connecting his book of short stories, titled Dubliners, to paralysis. One of the short stories, “Eveline”, perfectly represents Joyce’s point. This is because within “Eveline”, both mental and physical paralysis occurs. Eveline experiences the mental paralysis of being torn between duty and desire. She also experiences metal paralysis when she cannot decide whether leaving her hard and familiar life for a new, unknown one is worth it. Eveline experiences physical paralysis when she cannot bear to leave her childhood home. Another example is when she seems physically frozen on the dock between her home and a boat bound for a faraway place.

Eveline has a strong sense of responsibility to her family. She provides for them as a mother, housekeeper, and source of income. On page 28 Eveline remarks that, “Strange that it should come that very night to remind her of the promise to her mother, her promise to keep the home together as long as she could” (Joyce, “Eveline”). Eveline grew up surrounded by her family, they are all she has ever known. She takes care of them in the absence of her mother. She feels a certain obligation and responsibility to take care of them because of her promise. She thinks that if she leaves, she is breaking her last promise with her mother. However, on page 28, Eveline also said that “She must escape! Frank would save her. He would give her life, perhaps love too. But she wanted to live. Why should she be unhappy? She had a right to happiness” (Joyce, “Eveline”).  Eveline desires nothing more than to leave her current life behind. She wants to escape from her father and the possibility of living out her mother’s life. She wants to discover something more for her life. Eveline is stuck between these two strong emotions. She can’t decide which is the right way to go, to live out her duty or pursue her desires. The equal pull of both prevents her from moving forward with her life.

A second crossroads that paralyzes Eveline from making the decision to go or stay, was the choice between a difficult life she always knew, or a new life full of good and bad possibilities. Her yearning to stay in illustrated on page 25, which says,

“She looked round the room, reviewing all its familiar objects which she had dusted once a week for so many years … Perhaps she would never see again those familiar objects from which she had never dreamed of being divided” (Joyce, “Eveline”).

She explains that her life is extremely difficult in many ways: they have little money, she is the caretaker over two young children, and her father is abusive. However, she has found a way to survive despite her unpleasant circumstances. It may not be perfect, but it is something she knows she could handle. Frank wants her to follow him back to Buenos Ayres. A distant place in a country she has never been to. To live out a life she has never experienced before. She believes that leaving would give her a chance at a better life, but nothing is guaranteed. Eveline is caught between the known and unknown. She can’t decide whether it is worth it for her to leave her old life behind for the possibility of a better one.

Most of the story takes place within Eveline’s house and her memories that emerge there. Even though she and Frank have a boat to catch that afternoon, she lingers in her house, reliving the memories of her childhood. It is almost like she is stalling and does not want to leave. On page 28, Eveline remarks,

“Her time was running out but she continued to sit by the window, leaning her head out against the window curtain, inhaling the odour of dusty cretonne. Down far in the avenue she could hear a street organ playing … she remembered the last night of her mother’s illness; she was again in the close dark room at the other side of the hall and outside she heard a melancholy air of Italy” (Joyce, “Eveline”)

The thought of leaving behind her old life to start a new one hurt her in a way. The thought of leaving behind her childhood, family, and familiarity of the place gives her pause. She can not seem to move from her position within the house. She continuously allows memories to engulf her mind and inhibit her from leaving for the docks. As she remembers her old life and both the good and bad memories in Dublin, she starts to question whether she can really leave the life she knows.

The second and most obvious time Eveline demonstrates physical paralysis is when she is on the docks about to board the night boat to Buenos Ayres. As Frank leads her to the boat by hand, the weight of Eveline’s decision starts baring down on her. Her mind to flips between her two paths she can take. According to page 29,

“She answered nothing. She felt her cheek pale and cold and, out of a maze of distress, she prayed to God … It was impossible. Her hands clutched the iron [railing] in a frenzy. Amid the seas she sent a cry of anguish” (Joyce, “Eveline”).

Even in the final moments, Eveline has yet to make her decision. She thought she chose to live a new life, but when it is time to leave, she freezes. Her life has such a strong pull on her that she is unable to leave it behind forever.

Despite everything, Eveline can not decide what she wants. She loves her family but hates her life. She wants to be free of everything, while also caring for her responsibilities. Paralysis overtakes her mind as she weighs her duties and desires, and reflects on a familiar life in the face of unknown territory. Her body gives into paralysis as she allows her memories of the past to occupy her mind. She also lets her panic freeze her body in the final moments before the decision is made. If her memories and responsibilities hold enough power to paralyze her, I do believe that it resulted in Eveline staying in Dublin.