Eveline- Point of View

"Eveline"
by James Joyce

The third person limited point of view focuses solely on the thoughts and feelings of the main character, Eveline.  In this way, the reader sees the setting and circumstances through her eyes, and the reader's feelings change with Eveline's.  She talks about her hometown of Dublin in a negative light, listing the reasons she's glad that she's finally leaving.  She wants to escape from the routine, and the reader can sympathize.  She has done the same thing in the same town all her life.  As much as she wants to get out of the repetition, she starts to remember the good times as she reminisces.  Eveline refers to Frank as her savior, but does she really want to be saved from her current life?  As Frank directs her toward the boat, "she prayed to God to direct her, to she her what was her duty" (Joyce, 221).  Even as she is on the verge of escape, the reader gets the feeling that Eveline is having second thoughts.  She starts to panic, continually questioning her next move.  The reader experiences her anxious feelings along with her, and wonders what she will do.  Suddenly, fear strikes her and she "gripped with both hands at the iron railing" (Joyce, 222).  Because of the point of view, the reader was not aware of this decision until it occurred, creating suspense and surprise.  It also gives insight into how sudden Eveline herself made the decision, and how it was non sequitur decision.