Eveline struggles to separate herself from religious and familial obligations.

In the story "Eveline," Eveline suffers from what Joyce termed "paralysis." This is the stultifying pull of external and moral forces, which are linked to the traditions of Catholicism and the forces of the Irish culture.

In fact, the idea of this Joycean paralysis drives the very narrative of "Eveline." From the beginning in which she sits at the window, whose curtains smell of dusty cretonne, she is "tired." She mulls over the pitiable state of her deceased mother, who was abused by Eveline's father, and she "felt herself in danger of her father's violence," yet she feels an obligation to honor her promises to her mother and the Blessed Mary Margaret Alacoque, and the need to stay and protect her little brother from the abuse he may receive in her absence. Also, Eveline reviews her subservience at work as Miss Gavan constantly admonishes her, "Miss Hill, don't you see these ladies are waiting?" or "Look lively, Miss Hill, please."

That Eveline is paralyzed is evinced in her conclusion after these reflections at the window that

[I]t was hard work—a hard life—but now that she was about to leave it she did not find it a wholly undesirable life.

Further, there is no action in the narrative but that which takes place in Eveline's mind. Her thoughts of leaving with Frank, a sailor (a man her father has forbidden her to see), to the port city of Buenos Ayres, which at the time of this story attracted many adventurers, end in inaction. For, "A bell clanged upon her heart," representing the duty evoked by Blessed Mary Margaret Alacoque, and Eveline cannot release her grip upon the iron railing, which is symbolic of both the communion rail and her corroded ties to her family. Finally, in her paralysis, Eveline is figuratively in irons, a prisoner of her religious servility and her self-deception that she must stay to protect her brother and help her father.

The central conflict Eveline faces is whether or not to run away with her love, the sailor, to Buenos Aires.

She lives for her family, so this would represent a huge break from them, making it a very difficult dilemma for her. She is conflicted within herself whether or not she should go with the sailor, or stay with her family.

James Joyce's "Eveline" is a story that centers around a dilemma (and in that context, I think its primary conflict should be understood as one of person vs. self). However, at the same time, Eveline's dilemma is informed by various other tensions that have influenced and impacted her life, and the general misery that has defined it (in this sense, you can observe elements of person vs. society and person vs. person conflict, the latter of which is most notably expressed in Eveline's abusive father).

In "Eveline," Joyce depicts his protagonist's existence as one defined by misery, with her mother dead, and Eveline herself faced with an abusive father. And yet, Eveline herself is torn, because as miserable as her current existence is, it is also familiar to her, and she can take some small comfort in that familiarity. On the other hand, she does have hope for a better future should she run away with Frank, leaving Ireland. However, in this moment when she finally has the chance to escape, she finds herself second-guessing that decision. This is ultimately a watershed moment for her, with consequences that will, in all likelihood, shape the rest of her life. This dilemma weighs down on her, bringing her considerable distress.