COLÉGIO TIRADENTES DA POLÍCIA MILITAR - Barbacena – MG

English Literature – James Joyce DATA: SOESP: James Joyce

Turmas Professora: Luziana Faria ENSINO MÉDIO 3º ano VALOR: 5,0 301-302-303 2013 Nome: Nº: Turma: Questões: 2ª etapa

1- Closer views on James Joyce´s life.

What do you know about him, his life and work? Read a biography and make a resume.

A- CLOSER VIEWS ON JAMES JOYCE´S WORK

1- The James Joyce Centre is a site that promotes a better understanding of the life and works of James Joyce. a- Take a look at the homepage – www.jamesjoyce.ie/detail.asp?id=10 - and say:

What do you think the site is like? Who may have created it and why?

B- After reading the story “Eveline”, answer:

1- Say wich specific writing feature strengthens the idea of internal conflit that Joyce wanted to convey. 2- Check the main themes which are dealt with in the short story. A small tip: In short stories, themes are the fundamental and often universal ideas explored in a literary work.

a- The wild nature of man ( ) b- The prison of routine ( ) c- The desire for escape ( ) d- The desire for endless love ( ) e- The search for success ( ) f- The intersection of life and death( )

3- Match each theme approached by Joyce in his work with a specific example from “Eveline”.

Routine is shown to have a harsh influence on Dubliner´s lives. Forced repetition traps them and do not allow them to try new experiences and look for happiness. As a consequence of following mundane routines Dubliners end up facing loneliness and unrequited love. ( )

Dubliners may be Irish citizens, but many of them long for scape and adventure in other countries. Such longings, however, never come true as well as never do the main characters in Joyce´s stories realize their dreams. ( )

The dead represent a shadow hanging over Dubliners, which keeps reminding them of the mistakes and failures that people make generation after generation. Very much like all Dubliners, in the author opinion, his characters move through life with little excitement or emotion except. The monotony of Dublin life makes people to experience a state of mind that lies between life and death, which makes them incapable of taking action in order to change their lives. ( )

Eveline´s memories of her dead mother haunt her and make her afraid and tense of repeating her mother´s mistakes in life. ( )

Eveline gives up her chance of love by choosing to stay and go on with her familiar life, even though her routines are full of sadness and abuse. ( )

Eveline dreams of a new life in Argentina but such dreams get shattered when she reaches the docks. ( )

4- As you already know, Joyce bases his writing on the idea of paralysis .

a- Explain, in your own words, what this is and illustrate it with a part of the story that shows it clearly.

b- Indicate and explain the metaphor used by Joyce when dealing with Eveline´s epiphany.

c- Explain the epiphany in “Eveline”.

A small hint:

In Dubliners Joyce makes all his characters experience both great and small revelations in their everyday lives. These moments were called “epiphanies” by the writer. Such a word has connotations of religious revelation and is usually connected with a positive idea of reformation. However, in James Joyce´s writing, epiphanies do not represent new experiences, but are only meant to make characters more aware of their life circumstances, which are full of dull and sad routine. Joyce describes epiphanies as a spiritual manifestation, expressed by thoughts, words and/or action, which brings all the themes together and ends the story.

5- Representing in Eveline - look for hints. Read the story once more and pay particular attention to its ending and to Frank. There are clues in the story that help us to predict or infer many things, including how it is possibly going to finish.

Can you point out some elements that can lead us to:

a- Eveline´s final decision of staying? b- The dubious nature of Frank´s proposal?

6- Interpreting the end. In your opinion, what does the end of the story suggest?

7- Expanding views and actions: James Joyce and you. Reflect about all themes that were discussed and pointed out the story.

a- How can they (or any of them) relate to the society you live in now? What would Eveline possibly be like if she lived in Dublin now or if she lived in your city? b- You are supposed to write a critical summary of the story you have read for a special edition of your school magazine, which will focus on literature. What would your text be like?

8- Back to up-close and personal views on the reading: a moment of self-evaluation. Think of what it felt reading “Eveline” and what you have learned. Express, in verbal or non-verbal language, your thoughts and ideas. That is, you may talk about this experience as if you were writing on a diary, for example, or choose to draw it. You could even choose a song, a dance, a poem to do so, too. Why not bringing some these ideas together?