In this short story, the protagonist, Eveline, struggles between her youthful desire to live her own, exciting life and a strong sense of duty to her family. These internal conflicts drive the plot through Eveline's narration as she details her early years at home, her meeting Frank, and, most importantly, the promise she made to her mother. She remembers vividly how she promised "to keep the home together as long as she could" after her mother's inevitable death (Joyce 221). Due to this promise, Eveline debates whether she should depart with Frank and abandon her father and brother. Additionally, in nostalgically meandering around her house, Eveline indirectly reveals a few more reservations about leaving Dublin for Buenos Aires. She strolls around her home, analyzing "familiar objects from which she had never dreamed of being divided," (Joyce 218). These musings show that Dublin represents familiarity and security to Eveline. She has lived there all her life and it is all she has ever known. As a result, even though Eveline has a difficult life taking care of her family in Dublin, such a life appeals to her because of the familiarity that accompanies it. The culmination of all these inner reservations ultimately prevents Eveline from leaving with Frank. Furthermore, she did not leave with him because she did not genuinely love him, as is evidenced in the line, "Her eyes gave him no sign of love or farewell or recognition," (Joyce 222).
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