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What role does alcohol play in "Eveline"?
While never explicitly stated, it is implied that Eveline’s father has a drinking problem which triggers his violent outbursts. Drunkenness is a recurring theme throughout Dubliners.
What is cretonne?
Cretonne is a heavy cotton fabric, typically with a floral pattern printed on one or both sides that is used for upholstery and interior design. Eveline mentions standing at the window and smelling the dusty cretonne curtains while debating if she should leave her home or not.
Why does Eveline decide to stay in Dublin?
Although Eveline is unhappy caring for her abusive father in Dublin, she stays because it is secure and familiar, and she remembers a promise she made to her dying mother to keep the household together for as long as possible. Her lover, Frank, implores Eveline to leave on a boat with him, but her reliance on routine and familiarity overrides her impulse to escape Dublin. Because her mother lived a similarly hard, domestic life, Eveline’s blank passivity on the boat dock suggests in the end that she felt she had no other choice but to live the life she was given.
What does the organ represent?
Eveline hears an organ playing outside while she debates whether she should leave with Frank or not. This causes Eveline to think about her mother because she also heard a street organ playing while her mother lay dying. This moment reveals the impact that Eveline’s mother has had on her because she allows her mother’s memory to impact her decision.
Who is Ernest?
Ernest was Eveline’s favorite brother. He died before the events of the short story take place.
