The hypothesis underpinning this essay is that, in Joyce’s “Eveline”, wish worlds, speculative extensions and intention worlds allow the protagonist to mentally escape her reality; explore new dimensions; and awake her desire to change her condition. The above-mentioned worlds are strictly bound to the sea, which can be seen as both a limit and a possibility. Indeed, Eveline believes to see in her lover Frank, a sailor, a way to escape her sad and monotonous Dubliner life. Nevertheless, when the time to leave comes, she decides to stay. The short story is scattered with images related to water that, if combined with the analysis of the discourse worlds and of the cognitive phenomenon of isolation (realised through epiphanies), could lead to a deeper and far-reaching understanding of the literary work object of the present study. In order to investigate the above-described elements, the short story will be analysed by applying the concepts of cognitive poetics.

Authors:
Emma Pasquali, University of Naples L'Orientale, Italy

About the Presenter(s)
Ms Emma Pasquali is a University Doctoral Student at University of Naples L'Orientale in Italy

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