Evaline Opionion

In James Joyce's Evaline the theme of escape is key. Evaline has two choices, to stay with her father, or leave with her boyfriend, Frank. Evaline's father doesn't treat her particularly well, and she gives up all of herself to her father and her family. Frank on the other hand treats her well, and loves her. When Evaline is forced to choose once and for all between Frank or her father, she is paralyzed.  She cannot choose what she will do with her life. I believe the right choice would have been to go live with Frank. Her life would have been much happier. She would not end up in madness like her mother, instead living her life with a man who loved her. Because of Evaline's inability to make a decision, she has forced herself into a life of working for her father receiving no praise. She will certainly live a less than joyful life. Evaline will be forced to live in a house where she will "Feel herself in the danger of her father's violence." (Joyce, 219).