Eveline

"She sat at the window watching evening invade the avenue. Her head was leaned against the window curtains and in her nostrils was the odor of dusty cretonne. She was tired." -pg. 218

The first paragraph of the story immediately introduces the story's theme. "Invade" is used in the first sentence and seems out of place. The passive voice of the second sentence is out of place too. The author used the word "invade" to allude to the fact that the guy that tries to marry Eveline and the fact that he wants her to run away with him is an invasion in her everyday life. It is also an invasion of her comfort zone she has set for herself. The second sentence is also suggestive of the story's theme. Passive voice is used to allude to the theme of Eveline being passive herself. She lets things come and go in her life, and will not take control.