Fear of Change

In Eveline by James Joyce, the protagonist Eveline, wants to lead a new life. She wants to leave an abusive father, more respect, more money, and an easier life. She does not want to live unhappily and end up insane like her mother. As she is about to leave and experience a new and possibly better life, she cannot abandon the life she has. She imagined Frank's desire to drown her and let her fears plague her mind and impulses. She experiences a spiritual paralysis. This theme of fearing change plague Eveline's heart to the point that she cannot live the life she dreams about. Several instances foreshadowed that she would find her life inescapable. Her life was not that bad: "now that she was about to leave it she did not find it a wholly undesirable life." (Joyce, 220). Her journey began with her body becoming distressed and nauseous. She desires change and happiness, but she cannot overcome her fear of the unknown.