Joyce's Eveline: A Case Study in Feminist Realism and The Limits of Female Emancipation

Abstract

This paper examines James Joyce's "Eveline" as a compelling case study in feminist realism, illustrating the profound limits of female emancipation in early 20th-century Dublin. Through a close reading of Eveline Hill's psychological paralysis and ultimate inaction, this study argues that the narrative meticulously depicts the pervasive societal and patriarchal structures that constrained women's autonomy and aspirations. Eveline's poignant struggle is not merely a personal failing, but a realistic portrayal of how deeply ingrained gendered expectations, filial duty, and the threat of social ostracization operated as formidable barriers to female liberation. The abstract analyzes how Eveline's decision to remain, rather than escaping with Frank, is a grim testament to the overwhelming influence of the domestic sphere and the insidious nature of emotional and economic dependency on male figures. It highlights how Joyce’s portrayal of Eveline’s internal conflict, marked by her attachment to familiar routines and her fear of the unknown, accurately reflects the limited choices available to women of her era. The paper contends that "Eveline" functions as a stark commentary on the era’s "emancipation" rhetoric, revealing it as often superficial when confronted with the realities of women's lived experiences. Ultimately, this research posits that Joyce's work, through its unflinching realism, contributes significantly to understanding the complex interplay of gender, duty, and the deeply entrenched societal forces that actively suppressed female agency.