Escape

I believe the theme of "Eveline" is that of escape and the values of family in Ireland. The majority of the story is Eveline's contemplation on whether or not to escape the burden of her life in Ireland. I believe that any selfish person would take this route in Eveline's situation. It is clear that she works as hard as she can to keep her family as normal as possible even with an old, cruel father. Anyone with a brain would tell her to leave this situation because she deserves so much more. Personally, I think she would've taken Frank's hand and ran to to boat if it weren't for the importance of family in a small traditional country like hers.

Eveline knew that she could live without her crazy father and her nomad of a brother, but I think it was the younger children and the promise to her mother that held her back. This is a situation where staying home was the hardest and the best decision at the same time for her. This ending shows so much character of Eveline. She took a great sacrifice. Instead of cruising on a boat to a land of promise and paradise, she chose to support her family instead of abandoning them and chose the life of her mother.