There are times when words are crystal clear, however not so much the meaning. Most of the time one has to read between the lines to actually understand another person. Logan Pearshall once said “it is not what an author says but what he or she whispers, that is important.” Essentially, he means that the implication of the author is more significant than their literal words. This statement does not only relate to life but also literature. James Joyce’s short stories “Eveline” and “The Dead” both prove this quote to be true by Joyce’s use of chiasmus, symbolism and Joyce’s diction. James Joyce whispers the idea that paralysis is preventing the city of Dublin from developing and the truth of life and death.
In Eveline James Joyce’s diction allows readers to see Eveline’s hidden feelings and the toll Dublin takes on her. As the…show more content… Her head was leaned against the window curtains … She was tired” (Eveline). Joyce wants to emphasize this image of Eveline watching the evening sky because he specifically wants the reader’s attention on the character. As of now readers do not know anything about Eveline except she is in Dublin and at the window alone with her “leaned” on the curtains. Joyce’s idea of “was leaned” is not as simple as her putting her head on the window. It is more complex than that. This is Joyce’s way of getting readers to interpret Eveline’s inner emotions. He does not reveal how she feels but “was leaned” whispers to readers that she is weak and she is in need of support. Joyce then proceeds to say “she was tired.” This does not necessarily mean she is sleepy, but she is drained. She lives in a society where she is powerless and incapable of making effective decisions. Her tiredness highlights this theme of entrapment in Dublin. Not only is trapped in Dublin, but also by her Father. Her thoughts start to wonder off when she reminisces about her controlling father threatening to hit her with a stick.
