The specific word choice that Joyce uses in this passage from this short story clearly connects to his recurring theme of paralysis. In the first line it says, “the pitiful vision of her mother’s life laid its spell on the very quick of her being.” By using the word ‘spell’, Joyce creates a sort of idea that a spell or enchantment has been cast on Eveline and a spell, which is usually used to manipulate and control, makes her unable to function on her own. Also, by emphasizing circumstances in Eveline’s situation by writing phrases such as, “constantly with foolish insistence” and “saying something…over and over again,” when describing all the thoughts going through Eveline’s head, Joyce gives a vision of repetitive motion. It is like Eveline is trapped in a certain position, and she cannot get out of it because she is so paralyzed. Her life keeps on turning in a never ending circle and she has no control. Joyce later describes Eveline as “like a helpless animal.” The use of the term ‘helpless’ perfectly describes the young lady’s position. She so clearly wants to go and leave the dull and boring life of Ireland, yet she still feels a strong need to stay. Something is holding and pulling her back, and she is helpless because of it.
The images that Joyce paints in the reader’s mind throughout the passage also pertain to the theme of paralysis. For example, when Eveline is at the dock awaiting her chance to escape to a new world, Joyce writes, “She stood among the swaying crowd in the station at the North Wall.” In this quote it is easy to see that Eveline is literally the only person not moving in the crowd, figuratively showing that paralysis has taken over and that she is not capable of going through with her plans. Also in this quote, the “North Wall” represents something that is blocking her passage, something that is in her way and that will not allow her through, keeping her ‘stuck’ in Dublin. Joyce describes the state that Eveline is in as a “maze of distress.” Eveline is trapped inside the shell that is her life and she cannot find the way out of the maze. When the young lady first catches a glimpse of the boat she is set to sail on, Joyce describes it as a “black mass.” This imagery portrays the boat as an ominous sign of death and terror, when in reality it should be a cheerful sign of freedom and independence.
Certain pieces of detail that Joyce uses in this passage also contribute to his idea of paralysis in Dublin. One detail that Joyce chooses to include in the excerpt is when he writes, “All the seas of the world tumbled in her heart. He was drawing her into them: he would drown her. She gripped with both hands at the iron railing.” it is implicated that Eveline is drowning in paralyzed fear of the decision that she has to make that will define the course of the rest of her life. She seems to be holding onto the railing for dear life because she has nothing else to grasp and she is unable to do anything while the roaring waves of her life come crashing down upon her.
Through various literary devices, James Joyce purposefully portrays Eveline as being completely paralyzed and unable to take control of her own life to make her own decisions. He shows that the repetitiveness of life in Dublin has a way of taking a hold of the lives of the Irish and making them incapable of functioning on their own. The people of Dublin, in Joyce’s opinion will never be able to break free of the vicious, paralyzing, cycle of their lives.
