NCERT Class 12 English Kaliedoscope: Chapter 6 — E v e l i n e E v e l i n e E v e l i n e E v e l i n e E v e l i n e
This chapter, 'Eveline' by James Joyce from the collection Dubliners, is a sympathetic portrayal of Eveline, a young woman struggling with the decision to escape her monotonous life. Set in early 20th century Dublin, the story depicts Eveline sitting by her window, reflecting on her past, her family, and the drudgery of her existence. Despite having an opportunity to leave with her lover, Frank, she is paralyzed by fear and a sense of duty towards her home and family. The narrative explores themes of paralysis, duty versus desire, and the difficulty of breaking free from familiar surroundings. Joyce's characteristic experimental style is evident in the stream-of-consciousness narration, immersing the reader in Eveline's internal conflict. The chapter highlights the psychological barriers that prevent individuals from seizing opportunities for a better life, a common theme in CBSE English literature studies.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 12 |
| Subject | English |
| Book | Kaliedoscope |
| Chapter | Chapter 6 — E v e l i n e E v e l i n e E v e l i n e E v e l i n e E v e l i n e |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 3 minutes |
| Word count | 546 |
Learning outcomes
- Analyze the character of Eveline and her internal conflict.
- Understand the themes of paralysis, duty, and escape in the story.
- Appreciate James Joyce's narrative techniques and literary style.
- Connect the story's themes to broader concepts of personal freedom and societal expectations.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| drudgery | dull, routine, and tedious work. |
| portrayal | the description of someone or something in a particular way. |
| cretonne | a heavy cotton cloth, typically with a floral pattern, used for upholstery and curtains. |
| cinder path | a path made of crushed coal or wood ashes. |
| blackthorn stick | a stick made from the wood of the blackthorn bush, often used as a walking stick or weapon. |
| nix | an old slang word, originally used by thieves, to refer to the member of a gang who kept watch. |
| harmonim | a musical instrument, a type of free-reed organ that is played by means of a keyboard. |
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Practice questions
- What is the main conflict Eveline faces in the story? Answer: Eveline faces the conflict between escaping her monotonous life and her sense of duty and fear associated with leaving her home and family.
- Describe Eveline's feelings about her home. Answer: Eveline has mixed feelings about her home; she is tired of its drudgery but also feels a strong sense of familiarity and duty towards its objects and her family.
- Who is James Joyce and what is 'Eveline' a part of? Answer: James Joyce is a major literary figure of the early twentieth century, known for his experimental narrative techniques. 'Eveline' is one of the fifteen stories in his collection 'Dubliners'.
Practice MCQs
Q1. What is the primary setting of the story 'Eveline'?
Explanation: The story begins with Eveline sitting at her window watching the evening invade the avenue, establishing Dublin as the primary setting.
Q2. What does Eveline smell at the beginning of the story?
Explanation: The text states, 'in her nostrils was the odour of dusty cretonne,' indicating this is what she smells.
Q3. Who used to play in the field that is now built with houses?
Explanation: The text explicitly lists 'the Devines, the Waters, the Dunns, little Keogh the cripple, she and her brothers and sisters' as children who used to play there.
Q4. What does 'nix' mean in the context of the story?
Explanation: The footnote explains 'nix' as an old slang word for a lookout or watchman, used to give a warning.
Q5. What is Eveline's father known to use to hunt children out of the field?
Explanation: The text mentions, 'Her father was not so bad then; and besides, her mother was alive. That was a long time ago; she and her brothers and sisters were all grown up; her mother was dead. Tizzie Dunn was dead, too, and the Waters had gone back to England. Everything changes. Now she was going to go away like the others, to leave her home.'
Frequently asked questions
Who wrote the short story 'Eveline'?
The short story 'Eveline' was written by James Joyce.
What collection is 'Eveline' a part of?
'Eveline' is one of fifteen stories that form James Joyce's collection titled 'Dubliners'.
What is the main theme explored in 'Eveline'?
The main theme explored is Eveline's paralysis and inability to escape her monotonous life due to fear and a sense of duty.
What does Eveline's father do to the children playing in the field?
Eveline's father used to hunt them in and out of the field with his blackthorn stick.
What does Eveline do at the window?
She sits at the window watching the evening invade the avenue, reflecting on her life.
What is the meaning of 'nix' as mentioned in the text?
'Nix' is an old slang word used by thieves to refer to the member of a gang who kept watch, essentially a lookout.
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NCERT Class 12 English — Kaliedoscope — Chapter 6 — E v e l i n e E v e l i n e E v e l i n e E v e l i n e E v e l i n e. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.