Morales 2341 Spring 2015 Class MW discussion

Do you think Eveline made the right decision? Why/why not? Do not forget to use evidence from the story.

I think Eveline did not make the right decision because she made her decision based on fear. Eveline was afraid of leaving everything behind, and leaving her comfort zone. Of course Eveline was going trough a rough time in her life like everyone else, but she missed the opportunity to live her own life and create her own story. Eveline said it her self “ She would not be treated as her mother did”. Eveline was comparing her decision and love life with her mothers experience with love and made her final choice with fear and decided not to go with the person that made her feel alive, “ Frank would save her. He would give her life, perhaps love, too”. Frank would give Eveline the opportunity to feel and experience new adventures without being in a daily routine and with her father on her back. But because of fear she decided to let Frank and everything that was maybe going to be a wonderful life go in a second of doubt. Know Eveline will live the rest of her life until her father dies under his command and in fear, wondering what if she would have followed Frank to Buenos Aires, what if she would have given her self the opportunity to believe in someone that wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, and save her from the nightmare she was living in.

I believe Eveline did not make the right decision since it was out of fear of change. She clings on to the past when offered an opportunity for a future away from her unfortunate home situation. Eveline seemed happy to leave her past life and break free to start a new life with her love, Frank. Memories of pleasant times with her family linger behind creating doubt. She has a toxic relationship with her father and an absent brother, but she feels almost obligated to stay due to a promise made to her dead mother to “keep the home together as long as she could”. Eveline is in a constant cycle of indecisiveness. She desires escaping with Frank but at the last minute she decides to stay with the familiar routine she is accustomed to. She finds every excuse she can to stay with her abusive father despite being trapped in this routine that has her feeling “like a helpless animal”.

I believe that Eveline did not make a good decision in choosing to stay with her father, rather that with Frank. Granted she really didn't know Frank that well, but is it worth staying with an abusive father? I do not think so. "She would not be treated as her mother had been. Even now, though she was over nineteen, she sometimes felt herself in danger of her father's violence." She is aware of her situation and deep down she wants a new life filled with new experiences. The two letters she held in her hand are a reminders of her past. The organ music reminded her of her mother and the promise she made on her deathbed. It is her past, no matter how bad, that she can't let go of. I feel she is too timid to place her entire faith in Frank and face the unknown symbolized by the giant ship in the darkness.

Melancholy seems to play a big role in Eveline’s decision. The dilemma should be based on the current situation, but she is remembering past events. The past shows a father that was more attentive and kind. She sits and remembers her deceased mother to which she had promised to keep the family together. Her brothers weren’t home anymore, “Ernest was dead and Harry, who was in the church decorating business, was nearly always down somewhere in the country,” the current scene at home is different. Her father treats her as a maid and spends his money on recreational habits, “ for he was usually fairly bad on a Saturday night.” She also had a right to happiness, but that was all she knew in the world. Eveline was afraid of change or of what was to happen to her father. He still needed her to a certain extent, even if he didn’t show loving feeling, she knew he loved and cared for her. People have to move on and adapt to new thing but it is easier said then done. I think she should have left with Frank and started a new life.

Eveline I feel did not make the right choice. I feel she made the choice to stay with her father and younger siblings out of love, guilt for leaving the younger children behind to take her father's abuse and lastly her mother's dying wish was for Eveline to hold the family together. "Strange that it should come that very night to remind her of the promise to her mother, her promise to keep the home together as long as she could." Her two older brother one was deceased the other one worked away redecorating churches were the brunt of her father's violence but as of late he was turning that towards Eveline. Even though she dreamed of this new life with Frank a sailor away from all the violence she would be leaving the only thing she knew. I feel as though she was too scared of the unknown. She talks about how the ladies at the store will talk about how she ran off with a fellow. Once again Eveline too worried about how others portray her instead of her happiness. She is a typical people pleaser and always trying to keep peace. Tell tell signs of a person whom has lived in an abusive home.

Shanda wrote: "Eveline I feel did not make the right choice. I feel she made the choice to stay with her father and younger siblings out of love, guilt for leaving the younger children behind to take her father's..."

Very true, many people who grow up in an abusive sometimes feel as if they can not leave out of guilt. I know this because of my previous employment. I agree that it was a bad decision on her behalf and it would have me for her best to leave with Frank.

Evelyn had the opportunity to change her life to a pleasant future but decided to stay. The choice she made was not wise. In the beginning of t story, I imagine her with a troubled and tired. How could we not explained the tiredness on her face, “Of course she had to work hard in the house and at business”? She describes her life and it does not sounds too pleasant. It seems that her father discriminates her because of her gender. “When they were growing up he had never gone for her, like he used to go for Harry and Ernest, because she was a girl.” Evelyn has been treated like a maid and she has also suffered some type of physical and psychological abuse, “she sometimes felt herself in danger of her father’s violence. She knew it was that that had given her the palpitations.” When Evelyn has the opportunity, she starts to remember the few happy times they had trying to justify the reason for staying. It seems that Evelyn was more afraid to change her way of leaving in a new place with someone, Frank, that loves her and treats her with respect than leaving her usual life.
“She set her white face to him, passive, like a helpless animal.” – James Joyce “Eveline”

I believe Eveline made the wrong decision about staying with her abusive father. In my opinion I believe she stayed because she wanted to honor her mother’s wish about keeping her family together but I also believe she made the decision out of fear. When you’ve had the same rotation in your life for a while it can be quite difficult to break it but if the change was to improve your life anyone who truly wanted to be better would move on. Eveline quoted that she did not want to end up like her mother but by staying there that is exactly what she will become. Even though it was the mother’s dying wish for her to keep the family together I believe she was wrong in making her agree to this promise because her unhappiness will just move down to Eveline.

I believe Eveline made the right choice of staying with her abusive father, although it sounds like it was the craziest idea ever, I believe she stayed because she knew if she had left with Frank she wouldn't have been happy. "Her eyes gave him no sign of love or farewell or recognition." She wasn't ready to leave her father or even that home that would haunt her if she had left to Buenos Aires. Even though a part of her wanted to leave everything behind and forget, her life would only be lived in fear. She didn’t only want to live a happy life; she wanted to live the life. At the moment she was boarding the ship to leave with the love that would probably make her the happiest ever she remembered the promise her mother made her before dying. She could not leave her home, and she could definitely not leave after all that she had been through. “She had consented to go away, to leave her home. Was that wise? She tried to weigh each side of the question. In her home anyway she had shelter and food; she had those whom she had known all her life about her. O course she had to work hard, both in the house and at business. What would they say of her in the Stores when they found out that she had run away with a fellow?” it shows how Eveline would always doubt of running away, and that was something she couldn’t live with.

Eveline wants to escape but doesn’t know if she should. She sits by the window thinking about her past memories. “She had consented to go away, to leave her home. Was that wise? She tried to weigh each side of the question.” The story describes about how she feared her father’s violence. “…she sometimes felt herself in danger of her father's violence.” “And no she had nobody to protect her.” She also describes him as not always being mean. She goes back and forth with her decision. Eveline starts thinking if she leaves with Frank she would be married and people would treat her with respect and not be treated like her mother. She didn't know what to do and asked God to guide her. "..she prayed to God to direct her, to show her what was her duty." At the end she decides to not to leave with Frank. I believe she made a wrong descion. She should have left with him because she will no longer feel fear from her father or feel disrespected. Staying there will keep holding her from her past. Eveline needs to move on with her life. I feel that she made the decision to stay because she felt guilty that she wasn't going to keep her promise to her dead mother. "She knew the air Strange that it should come that very night to remind her of the promise to her mother, her promise to keep the home together as long as she could."

I do believe that Eveline made the wrong decision. Despite the fact that she made a promise to her mother; she hadn't thought about it till last minute. Although I also believe she kept her promise in a way " Strange that it should come that very night to remind her of the promise to her mother, the promise to keep the home together as long as she could." She did just that, she kept it together till it was time for her to make a life of herself. Her father abused the boys and threaten her that he would do the same to her if she wasn't a girl. She basically stayed out of guilt. To protect her brothers and because she knew that her father was getting old. Its not fair that her mother put all that responsibility on her when she knew it was right for her to make her own life, a chance at happiness. In Eveline's mind she may think that she made the right decision at the time but later all she will feel is regret. Regret that she didn't take her chance for happiness but was drawn back with guilt.

I think Eveline made the wrong decision of not leaving. She made her decision based on the promise she made to her mom to take care of the house. At the beginning of the story Eveline describe her past when her mother was alive and her childhood. She lived with her abusive father, she was not happy with life, she felt miserable. In the other hand she had Frank who was kind and opened hearted. She was to escape with him to Buenos Aires. She liked the idea to start an explored a new life with Frank. "But in her new home, in a distant country, it would not be like that… People would treat her with respect then." I think Eveline fear about her decision because she was not sure if she was right or wrong about leaving her father and her mother’s promise.

It’s difficult to determine whether or not Eveline made the right choice by choosing not to follow Frank. This would have been a very heartwrenching position to be put in. It’s almost as if she didn’t love him at all but saw him only as a way out of the life she lived. She believed Frank would save her from it. She refers to her mother’s life as “commonplace sacrifices”. She believed her mother sacrificed by living a very ordinary life. She becomes overwhelmed with fear at the thought of living the life her mother had lived. She wanted more. She wanted an escape from the hard life she lived. And Frank would be the savior she so desperately had been waiting for. She said Frank would take her away, hold her in his arms, and give her life. As if the life she lived was not living at all. Still she found herself in a very difficult position. How could she leave her father? How could she break the promise she made her mother? I personally believe that her mother’s request for Eveline to promise to keep the home together as long as she could was very selfish of her. As a mother you want more for your children: a better life, love, happiness. Her mother should have realized that she and her father had already lived their lives. And that soon it would be Eveline’s chance to live, to experience life for herself, and to choose a life of her own. Not a life of hardship and abuse. It was very inconsiderate of her mother to ask this of her daughter. Eveline would never know the life she could have lived.

“She set her white face to him, passive, like a helpless animal. Her eyes gave him no sign of love or farewell or recognition.” Eveline by James Joyce

I sincerely believe Eveline made the right choice by choosing to remain alongside her father, ultimately fulfilling the promise she had made to her mother before she passed of keeping the home together. While it might not have been what she heartily desired deep within her, I believe she acted based on the righteous and moral thing that she had to do. Although, one may be quick to judge and easily give their opinion on how one should never have to give up or sacrifice their chance at happiness, I think that it's not until one is personally in that certain position that they will then know how it truly feels to be the only one there for either your father or mother. Unfortunately, there are times in life that we are put in certain situations where we have to make certain sacrifices for the ones we love and I think this was one of them for Eveline. I mean who knows, maybe her true contentment was in being able to achieve that promise she had made to her mother and being able to stay by her family’s side. Eveline knows that even though her father does not express that he appreciates her or what she does for him, she knows that she is the only one who is actually there for him and will care for him. She knows that even though he does not express his love towards her that deep down inside he loves his daughter.
I think that Eveline chose not to leave with Frank at the end because she'd might end up regretting it and her conscious would probably not allow her to live happily knowing that she ran off leaving her father alone and breaking the promise she originally had made to her mother.

"She sat at the window watching the evening invade the avenue. Her head was leaned against the window curtains an in her nostrils was the odor of dusty cretonne. She was tired." Eveline by James Joyce

I think Eveline made the right choice in staying. Yes, she described her father as abusive but never physically abusive. She describes him being lovely before the mother died. Just imagine the love of you life and parent to your children dying... It must have been stressful and heartbreaking for him. She says he wasn't always cold he had his moments. She also says how he is getting old now, and then the promise she made to her mother. I think she stayed because she knows people die, and i think she wants to stay and be there for whatever time she has left with her father. I think she wants to fix things before its too late and i think then she could leave and start over. I just don't think she really loved frank, i think she just found him as an escape at that moment.

"All the seas of the world tumbled about her heart. He was drawing her into them: he would drown her. She tripped with both hands at the iron railing." This i think describes perfectly how she knew if she left with frank it wasn't out of love, it would be her escape into something different and maybe she could love him. I think she admired his life of travels and wished that for herself. Yes, i think she made the right decision.

I think Eveline did not make the right decision by staying. “Strange that it should come that very night to remind her of the promise to her mother, the promise to keep the home together as long as she could.” Eveline wanted to start a new life, but she couldn’t because she had made a promise to her mother. That is how she decided to stay, she was sitting by the window that evening remembering all the happy moments that she had lived there with her family. “Perhaps she would never see again those familiar objects from which she had never dreamed of being divided.” Eveline did had in mind leaving their family to start a new life with Frank by being his wife, but she had very present every happy moments with her family and that was much stronger. “She felt her cheek pale and cold and, out of amaze of distress, she prayed to God to direct her, to show her what was her duty.” She didn’t know what to do, if to stay or not, but at the end she just let him go without her. I think that was not a good idea because she had an opportunity to have a new life, but she was stopped by her family and mostly by the memories that she had with them.

I believe Eveline made the right choice by staying with her father. Although he was abusive, Eveline promised to her mother that she would stay with her father. The mother was thinking about the whole family when they made the promise, not just herself. Eveline followed her mothers footsteps by thinking about her whole family too and choosing to stick with the promise. Eveline did the right thing by sticking with the promise she made with her mother. This shows her moral values.

"In her home anyway she had shelter and food; she had those whom she had known all her life about her." -James Joyce

If Frank loved her, he would of tried to do anything to fulfill the promise Eveline had made to her mother. The only choice Frank would have is to move in with her or near her so they can see each other. If Eveline would have broken the promise she had made to her mother, Eveline would probably have had too live with the guilt. This does not making any of her circumstances better; therefore, I believe Eveline's decision was correct.

i think she made a decision based on guilt, she felt sorry, if she was more daring she would have gone, and she probably should have, i think YES she should have gone, in the story she says she enjoyed Franks company, he could have offered her a much better life, if she didn't leave this time i believe she wont ever leave. I think she was staying behind through guilt because of what her mother told her and she let that haunt her. In the story she says her father is abusive, but to avoid the thought of it, she had recollection of her childhood memories as if that was giving her a right reason to stay, it shouldn't have. she should have left, she also mentioned that he father would feel bad if she left.

Hilda wrote: "Eveline wants to escape but doesn’t know if she should. She sits by the window thinking about her past memories. “She had consented to go away, to leave her home. Was that wise? She tried to weigh ..."

Hilda i agree with your decision because i also believe Eveline was afraid to start over and be respected. Eveline want to start over but didn't find enough reasons to do so, and decided to stay.

Marielena wrote: "I think Eveline did not make the right decision because she made her decision based on fear. Eveline was afraid of leaving everything behind, and leaving her comfort zone. Of course Eveline was goi..."

Marielena, I agree with you that perhaps Frank could have given Eveline a new life and maybe love too, but I feel that maybe Eveline just wasn’t quite ready yet. Maybe it was out of fear like you stated or maybe that she just didn’t have enough feelings to leave everything behind for him. There are many what if’s if she would of left with Frank, but I also believe there would have been what if’s if she would have left and stayed with regret for not staying to care for her father.

Luis wrote: "I believe that Eveline did not make a good decision in choosing to stay with her father, rather that with Frank. Granted she really didn't know Frank that well, but is it worth staying with an abu..."

Luis, I agree with you that perhaps Frank could have maybe given her a new life filled with new experiences, but I also feel that she did not leave with him not out of fear but maybe because she just wasn’t quite ready to leave everything behind for him. I believe that she felt that he just wasn’t the right man that she wanted to live the rest of her life with. Like you stated, she didn’t know Frank that well yet. The two letters she held was a reminder of her family and what she would be leaving behind if she decided to leave with Frank.

Amber wrote: "In my opinion I believe she stayed because she wanted to honor her mother’s wish about keeping her family together but I also believe she made the decision out of fear."

I agree with ambers opinion. Eveline wanted to honor her mothers promise therefore she stayed, but also out of fear because her father was dying. She was basically leaving all what she only known behind.

Maritza wrote: "I think Eveline fear about her decision because she was not sure if she was right or wrong about leaving her father and her mother’s promise."

I agree that Eveline wasn't so sure whether or not it was right to leave or not. She had many reasons to go but also many to stay, in the end she chose to stay to what she was use to. Personally I think she should have gone yet it was a different time and she was put in a difficult situation.

I believe Eveline made the right choice in staying with her father. I believe that family is very important.She simply knew that she had made a promise to her mother. In staying with the family. Eveline actually did not know anything from the World. She followed her mothers steps in taking care of the home. Even though she did not have a good relationship with her father. But creo inside she did care for him. Eveline had already witness death in her family. She realized her father was getting old. And she wants to be there incase something happens to him. I believe Eveline still had hope That her father would show her love. But regardless of the situation she still had family values and morals. She had the opportunity to start a new life with Frank. But in the end she choose to stay....

"She knew the air. Strange That it should come That very Night to remind her of the promise to her mother, her promise to keep the home together as Long as she could."...Eveline

Alicia wrote: "Evelyn had the opportunity to change her life to a pleasant future but decided to stay. The choice she made was not wise. In the beginning of t story, I imagine her with a troubled and tired. How c..."

I agree with everything you said except a pleasant future because we don't know what that holds. I do believe it would have been better than what her current situation is.

Luis wrote: "I believe that Eveline did not make a good decision in choosing to stay with her father, rather that with Frank. Granted she really didn't know Frank that well, but is it worth staying with an abu..."

Luis.I believe That eveline was just too afraid in what could of happen is she left. She was just holding on to That promise she made to her mother.

Scarlett wrote: "I think Eveline made the right choice in staying. Yes, she described her father as abusive but never physically abusive. She describes him being lovely before the mother died. Just imagine the love..."

I agree with you That she made the right decisión in staying with her father. Even though she had the opportunity to start a new Lite.

Angel wrote: "Melancholy seems to play a big role in Eveline’s decision. The dilemma should be based on the current situation, but she is remembering past events. The past shows a father that was more attentive ..."

I am in total agreement with you on this one. I feel as Eveline was not strong enough and the promise to her dying mother plus the fear of the unknown is overwhelming to her.

Suzette wrote: "i think she made a decision based on guilt, she felt sorry, if she was more daring she would have gone, and she probably should have, i think YES she should have gone, in the story she says she enj..."

Suzzette, I can see where you are coming from. She will never know another life if she never lived it. BUT, if her childhood memories kept haunting her, what if leaving with Frank turns out to be something she didn't expect?

Suzette wrote: "i think she made a decision based on guilt, she felt sorry, if she was more daring she would have gone, and she probably should have, i think YES she should have gone, in the story she says she enj..."

I disagree with you Suzette, I think if she had left she would of regret it and not be able to be happy. I think she never wanted to leave even though she would picture her life better with Frank. She would of regret it if she had left.

Alicia wrote: "Evelyn had the opportunity to change her life to a pleasant future but decided to stay. The choice she made was not wise. In the beginning of t story, I imagine her with a troubled and tired. How c..."

I agree with Alicia because Evelyn was afraid of trying new things just because she didn't wanted to leave her family. Frank offered her something new and in a different place, but she didn't wanted to because of all that she would have to leave behind.

Monique wrote: "I believe Eveline did not make the right decision since it was out of fear of change. She clings on to the past when offered an opportunity for a future away from her unfortunate home situation. Ev..."

"Like a helpless animal," is the perfect quote to take from this story. Evenline wasn't ready to leave everything she knew, even if it was harmful to her self esteem and persona.

Victoria wrote: "I do believe that Eveline made the wrong decision. Despite the fact that she made a promise to her mother; she hadn't thought about it till last minute. Although I also believe she kept her promise..."

Evelines future, if not with Frank, is prognosticated to be a very un-filling life. She, like you said, was keeping a promise but that had to be let go. Good observations.

Angel wrote: "Melancholy seems to play a big role in Eveline’s decision. The dilemma should be based on the current situation, but she is remembering past events. The past shows a father that was more attentive ..."

I liked the way you described that melancholy plays a role in this short story, and you're right it dose. I can understand why you'd think her starting a new start with frank can help her.

Leslie wrote: "I believe Eveline made the right choice of staying with her abusive father, although it sounds like it was the craziest idea ever, I believe she stayed because she knew if she had left with Frank s..."

I agree with you on that she made the right choice. She clearly wasn't ready to leave and start new if she hadn't finished her burden. When you want to start over or leave off you shouldn't have to think what other will think if you leave or who will be affected. In the end it is Eveline's life.

Amber wrote: "I believe Eveline made the wrong decision about staying with her abusive father. In my opinion I believe she stayed because she wanted to honor her mother’s wish about keeping her family together b..."
I couldnt agree with you more, she wasnt ready to leave, in fact i believe she was never going anywhere in the first place. she stayed behind for all the wrong reasons.

Marielena wrote: "I think Eveline did not make the right decision because she made her decision based on fear. Eveline was afraid of leaving everything behind, and leaving her comfort zone. Of course Eveline was goi..."

your so correct, she didnt go because she was fearing change, i believe her decision was based on being so timid of what might go wrong instead of considering what could be right.

Suzette wrote: "i think she made a decision based on guilt, she felt sorry, if she was more daring she would have gone, and she probably should have, i think YES she should have gone, in the story she says she enj..."
I agree with you. she had the chance and she let it go because she was more afraid of a new life than what she was used to.

Maritza wrote: "I think Eveline made the wrong decision of not leaving. She made her decision based on the promise she made to her mom to take care of the house. At the beginning of the story Eveline describe her ..."


I agree with you about Eveline making the wrong decision, she should’ve given Frank a chance at giving her a new life away from her abusive father and old life.

Kirsten wrote: "I believe Eveline made the right choice by staying with her father. Although he was abusive, Eveline promised to her mother that she would stay with her father. The mother was thinking about the wh..."

I disagree with her making the right choice, yes she did have a promise with her mother but the home was falling apart as it is with her absent brothers, all was left was a father that didn’t treat her right. She had a chance of turning her life around for the better.

Hilda wrote: "Eveline wants to escape but doesn’t know if she should. She sits by the window thinking about her past memories. “She had consented to go away, to leave her home. Was that wise? She tried to weigh ..."

I agree with you on her reason for staying but I believe she should of left and live the life the mother never had.

Nancy wrote: "I think Eveline did not make the right decision by staying. “Strange that it should come that very night to remind her of the promise to her mother, the promise to keep the home together as long as..."

I completely agree with you. Eveline should of left and started the life the mother never had.

Monique wrote: "I believe Eveline did not make the right decision since it was out of fear of change. She clings on to the past when offered an opportunity for a future away from her unfortunate home situation. Ev..."

I agree, Eveline was indecisive with her decision of staying or leaving. She kept going back and forth. She should have left with Frank to live her life but decided to stay out of fear.

The short story “Eveline” reflects the issues of that time period in Ireland. First of all we all need to have the mindset of the times the story was written. In 1914 when the Irish suffrage movement was taking place, Eveline, the title character, is greatly affected by feministic issues typical of its period. I think that Eveline’s relationships with men, and the society’s expectations of her, and her obligations toward her family, the only thought that comes to mind is to escape. Eveline, a nineteen-year old, is much like the young women of Ireland in the early twentieth century. Having lost her mother and an older brother, Eveline is obligated to take up much of the responsibilities of the household at a young age while taking care of a drinking father and avoiding his abuses. Despite all these, Eveline should have made the decision of leaving with Frank. She recalls lovingly of her childhood when she was allowed to run around with the neighborhood children and the one occasion when her father was “very nice” (Joyce, 13). Eveline’s happier times end with the death of her mother, and she is forced to face her unhappiness with her present life. No memory of a happier time should be enough for a person to stay in a place where one is mistreated, I do not care what place or time the story is taking place. Her one chance of escape comes with a young man named Frank. Frank, a sailor, promises to take her away to Buenos Aires and give her a respected married life. As a result, Eveline is torn between her conflicting desires and her desire to pursue happiness and desire to stay loyal to her family. Eventually, she decides to go with Frank. However, due to Eveline’s fears of the unknown and the societal expectations of women at that time, Eveline is unable to let go of her past and embark upon a new life. Instead, she stays home in her unhappiness.

Nancy wrote: "I think Eveline did not make the right decision by staying. “Strange that it should come that very night to remind her of the promise to her mother, the promise to keep the home together as long as..."

I agree that she did not make the right decision. It is obvious that Eveline staying there was because of her promise to her mother. But should anyone be tied up in a place where they are being miss treated, just because of a promise you made when your mother was dying? I say this because my mother passed away not to long ago and I can relate. I know what it is to have that feeling were you would do and promise anything regardless of the price. I’m sure the mother did not know that the father and the entire town were going to mistreat Eveline.

Rosie wrote: "I believe Eveline made the right choice in staying with her father. I believe that family is very important.She simply knew that she had made a promise to her mother. In staying with the family. Ev..."

Although I do agree with Rosie that family is very important, I have to disagree that Eveline made the right choice by staying. Should one be obligated to hinder their own happiness because of their obligations to the family?

Pearl wrote: "I sincerely believe Eveline made the right choice by choosing to remain alongside her father, ultimately fulfilling the promise she had made to her mother before she passed of keeping the home toge..."

Maybe Pearl is right. Maybe Eveline does feel that deep down inside her father does care for her and she feels she cannot abandon him. But I believe that her own fears keep her from being truly happy.

Eveline did not make the right decision. She has let the love of her life go to stay and live the life her mother wanted her to. When in real life the point is to follow your dreams, and to be happy. There is not enough evidence in the story to prove why her decision is not right because she is calm as she watches her love go. Maybe her conscious of leaving her father overwhelms her and maker her take the decision she took and thinking about it, it was very selfish of her mother to put that upon her shoulders. Taking away her life, to live the life she left.

Victoria wrote: "I do believe that Eveline made the wrong decision. Despite the fact that she made a promise to her mother; she hadn't thought about it till last minute. Although I also believe she kept her promise..."

Couldn't have said it better myself. I feel the same way because it is so hard to leave your family one given the opportunity, and besides, running away is not the right way to do it. Her mother's word remorse in her head as she was about to leave her brothers behind.