What is the purpose of James Joyce in the story, "Eveline from Dubliners by James Joyce?

Concerning Joyce's "Eveline," one cannot speak for the
author, but can only deal with the effects of the story
itself.

The story furthers one of the themes revealed in
the short story collection, Dubliners, from which "Eveline" comes: 
paralysis. 

Eveline is trapped in a stagnant, negative
existence.  Ignorance and alcoholism and sexism and abuse dominate her life.  She longs
to escape, but even when she has an opportunity, she freezes at a critical moment and
can't bring herself to leave.  She has a chance to escape, but she rejects
it. 

She is figuratively
paralyzed. 

This, apparently, is how Joyce views the
inhabitants of Dublin, and by extension, the inhabitants of Ireland and the rest of the
world.  We live paralyzed lives, and even when we have a chance to escape, we are afraid
to do so. 

Joyce, then, we assume, is attempting to correct
Irish attitudes and behaviors, although, again, one should be careful about speaking for
any author.