James Joyce is a renowned Irish poet, novelist and literary critic. He is known for his ground-breakingcontribution to the modern literature through his usage of experimental techniques such as Stream ofConsciousness, Complex Symbolism and Non-linear narratives. His notable works include Dubliner, APortrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Ulysses and Finnegans Wake. James Joyce’s works are knownfor their depth and ability to capture the essence of human thoughts and emotions. This study aims atthe analysis of the short story “Eveline” so as to bring out his treatment of the stream of consciousnessas a powerful narrative technique. According to M.H. Abrams, the Stream of Consciousness is a modeof narration that undertakes to reproduce the full spectrum and continuous flow of a character’s mentalprocess in which sense perceptions mingle with conscious and half-conscious thoughts, memories,expectations, feelings and random associations. James Joyce delves deep into the character Eveline’snon-linear thought process and gives a reader an access to her inner conflict and reflection on her pastand future. In the early 20th century, the employment opportunities for women were limited. Thesociety expected them to do the household chores and the duty towards the family welfare. James Joycedelineates vividly the emotional and psychological struggles of a young woman Eveline. She isoverwhelmed by her responsibilities, in the absence of her mother. She has to take care of her youngersiblings and endure the abuse of her squandering father. Eveline’s love towards Frank has made herthink of her personal freedom but the promise which she has given to her mother stops her from goingaway from the family by joining hands with Frank. Eveline undergoes a dilemma and it is revealedeffectively by the usage of stream of consciousness technique. Despite the longing for a new andpeaceful life, she is unable to overcome her past and face her future. She is trapped in the present lifeof hardship. James Joyce has brought out the thought process of the mind of Eveline which flowsnaturally and it moves forward the action of the story.
Jayamokhy et al. (Thu,) studied this question.