Eveline

"No! No! No! It was impossible. Her hands clutched the iron in frenzy. Amid the seas she sent a cry of anguish!" (page 222)

6. To what extent is Eveline's refusal to board the ship based on her judgement and will? Has she decided not to go?

The most important part of this question is whether or not Eveline has decided to go. Personally, I do not think that she decided to not go. When one makes a decision, they generally think about it beforehand and spend time determining what decision to make. However, Eveline does not do this. Throughout the entire short story she describes how her life in Dublin is "hard work" and she was not respected by individuals in the community. When describing running away to Buenos Aires with Frank, she speaks of how she would be happy. The new life in Buenos Aires would be different and new, and Eveline seems to like this. However, at the end, she clutches the iron bars and does not board the ship. The fact that Eveline chooses not to board the ship is merely an instinctual reaction. She seems to become afraid and her gut instinct was telling her not go to Buenos Aires.