A comparison between Eveline and the “Jig” Chance Acevedo Palm beach state

A comparison between Eveline and the “Jig”

Chance Acevedo

Palm beach state

LIT1000-17

Professor Laura Clouse

5/30/24

In James Joyce’s “Eveline” and Ernest Hemingway’s “Hills Like White Elephants,” the characters Eveline and Jig share common motivations for their actions, despite the differences in their lives. Both women deal with decisions that have profound implications for their lives and relationships. Eveline faces the choice of whether to leave her home and family behind to go on and make a new life with her love while the “jig” decides whether to undergo an abortion to maintain her relationship with her partner.

“Eveline” is a story written by James Joyce that follows Eveline who is a young woman living in Dublin. She has to decide whether to leave home and her family behind to start a new life with her lover Frank. Eveline reflects on her difficult and oppressive life, marked by the burden of caring for her abusive father and siblings after her mother’s death. Despite her wanting to leave for a better life she is still split on the decision due to her sense of duty to her family. Throughout the story Eveline yearns for control over her own life, lines that support this are Eveline reflects on her difficult and oppressive life, marked by the burden of caring for her abusive father and siblings after her mother’s death.” This quote illustrates Eveline’s contemplation of leaving behind the familiar object of her home and routine life. Eveline also fears the unknown as shown in this line “She stood up in an impulse of terror. Escape! She must escape! Frank would save her. He would give her life, perhaps love, too. But she wanted to live. Why should she be unhappy? She had a right to happiness. Frank would take her in his arms, and fold her in his arms. He would save her.”.

In the story “Hills like White Elephants” by Ernest Hemingway, Jig is a young woman grappling with the decision of whether to undergo an abortion. This choice will have many implications for her relationship with her partner. In the story, the jig is torn between her desire to do what makes her partner happy and maintain their relationship or her feelings about motherhood and the potential consequences of the abortion. Despite her uncertainty, Jig demonstrates strength when she confronts the difficult decision before her, ultimately asserting her agency and making a choice that aligns with her desires. The jig in the story wants changes as seen with her wanting the abortion. “It’s a simple operation, Jig,” the man said. “It’s not an operation at all.” and “I know you wouldn’t mind it, Jig. It’s not anything. It’s just to let the air in.” are two quotes the American man attempts to downplay the significance of the abortion, reassuring Jig that it’s a simple procedure that will allow them to continue their carefree lifestyle of traveling and enjoying each other’s company. This suggests that Jig sees abortion as a means to preserve their relationship and avoid the potential burden of parenthood.

After going over the characters of Eveline and the jig from their respective stories let’s go over how they compare despite their different circumstances. Both characters deal with life-altering decisions that challenge their autonomy and sense of self. Both characters share traits such as fear of the unknown, desire for change, and internal conflict. Eveline is unsure what will happen if she leaves her home and family for a new lover while Jig is concerned about what the consequences are of having an abortion. Despite their fear and uncertainty, both Eveline and Jig ultimately desire change and seek a better life for themselves. Eveline and Jig both exhibit emotional vulnerability as they confront difficult decisions. Eveline is emotionally torn between her desire for freedom and her sense of duty to her family, while Jig struggles with conflicting emotions about motherhood and her relationship. These shared traits highlight the themes of agency, autonomy, and the quest for personal fulfillment that are central to both “Eveline” and “Hills Like White Elephants.” Despite their differences in setting and circumstance, Eveline and Jig both navigate complex emotional landscapes as they both have to deal with life-altering choices that will affect them forever.

References

Joyce, James. “Eveline.” Dubliners, edited by Hans Walter Gabler et al., Random House, 1993, pp. 31-34.

Hemingway, Ernest. “Hills Like White Elephants.” Men Without Women, Scribner, 1927, pp. 211-214.