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Restoring a Subaltern Woman’s Voice: Ethical Literary Pedagogy through Joyce’s “Eveline”

This study proposes that James Joyce’s short story “Eveline” leads us to undertake an ethical task for a subaltern woman depicted by James Joyce. Critics have often expressed their discontent with the story’s ending where Eveline abandons her plan to escape Dublin after her suspension between home and world. Deploring Eveline’s final decision, many scholars have assessed her as a stupid woman who does not make a right choice. Trapped within the oppressive cultural system, Eveline cannot leave Dublin, although she wants to gain a sense of freedom and independence in another place. Joyce, however, encourages us to view Eveline from a sympathetic perspective, through portraying her as a subaltern woman who does not possess any cultural asset that may enable one to make his or her own choice. Revealing the poor condition where Eveline is placed, the text shows that she is forced to be silent. It also hints that Eveline could have been a physically or mentally disabled figure so that she cannot leave. What emerges from this representation is both a challenge to any hasty judgement on Eveline and expanded efforts to empower the character. In trying to not judge but understand Eveline, we can participate in the ethical experience of restoring her voice and words erased in her society. After tracking closely Joyce’s presentation of the absent words of Eveline, this essay explores ways in which “Eveline” can be taught in the classroom.