Empathy In Eveline

Sympathy is a word many hear, but few truly understand. It is often confused with empathy, and many times true sympathy is rare. Many people take a moment to feel bad or sorry for someone, but they rarely give it another thought. As a class we read a short story by James Joyce called Eveline. The first time reading this story it was a bit confusing and quite irritating. As a woman of the 21st century, whom is “fierce” and independent, I found it hard to sympathize with Eveline. “Stop your pity party and create a happier life.” This is what I found myself saying at first. However, I took a step back and really looked at the story. I remembered the context it takes place in. The year, country, and how different things where back then. Putting

As with all underprivileged areas around the world things were harder. There was a higher importance placed on morals and values. Eveline’s job was to care for her father and the house after her mother passed. It was a promise she made to her mother on her deathbed, and promises are to be kept. She also had two children that she oversaw caring for. Her responsibilities were routine, comfortable, and safe. There is nothing better that the human race likes more than routine. There is a comfort that comes with knowing how things are going to go and what is to be expected. People rarely accept change, it is scary and very unknown. When faced with massive change we are resistant to it. If you add in nostalgia then it can make the task of change even harder to comprehend. Eveline spent a few moments before her departure time to reminisce and evaluate her life as it were. Thinking of the people, even the horrible ones, brought her a sense of ease, “she had those whom she knew all her life about her”. The memories of family outings with fun and joy, “they had all gone for a picnic to the Hill of Howth. She remembered her father putting on her mother’s bonnet to make the children laugh”, made her linger a while longer. However, despite all her memories and comforts she “weighed each side of the question” and she made her decision; she was going. She wrote out two letters; one to her father and one to her

So, along with the class, I was rooting for her. Go, live your dream and be happy. Get away from the deplorable conditions of your life and run towards the future. Leave the poverty and abuse behind. But, Evelynn wasn’t in America, let alone the 21st century. The rights and privileges of women in that time were certainly different. The few rights they had where still overcome with centuries of habit and expectations. Their responsibilities revolved around domestic duties. Their thoughts and opinions were rarely considered and could even get them punished. Knowing this, it is understandable, though slightly disappointing, that when Eveline got to the ship she began to freak out. The reality of her situation hit her full force. The natural endorphin high she was surrounded with abruptly stopped and adrenaline reared its ugly head with a