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Question
Deciding between filial duty and the right to personal happiness is problematic. Discuss.
Solution
In the story, Eveline was a character, who dealt with the dilemma of choice between responsibility and happiness. She promised her mother that she’ll not let the thread of relations break and will always think of her family and stay with them. On the other hand, she had a choice to start a respectful, happy, and fairy-tale story with her beloved Frank. All the promises, memories, and relationships acted as a shackle to her legs. In the end, she gave up on her dreams and chose the welfare of her family.
This shows that there is always a conflict when a person has to choose between their family and their personal life, happiness, and future. The same happened with Eveline. It was hard and burdensome for choosing between her monotonously tortured life with her family or eloping with her lover. Thus, in the social sphere, the right to personal happiness is always considered selfish and bounds a person to fulfill their filial duty, sacrificing happiness in their private spheres of life.
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RELATED QUESTIONS
Name the two characters in this story whom Eveline liked and loved, and two she did not. What were the reasons for her feelings towards them?
Describe the conflict of emotions felt by Eveline on the day she had decided to elope with Frank.
Why do you think Eveline let go of the opportunity to escape?
What are the signs of Eveline’s indecision that we see as the hour of her departure with Frank neared?
Share with your partner any instance of your personal experience where you, or somebody you know, had to make a difficult choice.
The description in this story has symbolic touches. What do you think the ‘window’, the ‘gathering dusk’, the ‘dusty cretonne and its odor’ symbolize?
Note how the narrative proceeds through the consciousness of Eveline.
In the last section of the story, notice these expressions
(i) A bell clanged upon her heart.
(ii) AlI the seas of the world tumbled upon her heart.
(iii) Her hands clutched the iron in frenzy.
(iv) She set her white face to him, passive, like a helpless animal.
What are the emotions that these images evoke?
Do you think the author indicates his judgment of Eveline in the story?
Why did Eveline review all the familiar objects at home?
Where was Eveline planning to go?
Who was Frank? Why did Eveline’s father quarrel with him?
What significance does Eveline find in the organ player's appearance on the day she had decided to leave?
What type of relationship does Eveline have with Frank?
