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Eilis begins working at Miss Kelly's shop
After relying on her sister, Rose, to do work, Eilis gets a job in Miss Kelly's store for accounting since she is well versed in numbers. Miss Kelly, however, is not very kind and does not treat her clients well. Eilis learns the responsibility of having a job and that not everyone around her will be kind and she will have to push through it for her family. -
Eilis is introduced to Father Flood
Rose invites a priest over for dinner and persuades him to find a job for Eilis in America. After leaving her job with Miss Kelly, Eilis gets ready for her journey to Brooklyn. Eilis will soon be faced with the fear of being alone. Leaving her home and her family is a hard choice, but an opportunity that she takes. Eilis is grateful for her sister to give her this opportunity and is excited for what is to come. -
Eilis travels to America
Eilis has a difficult journey to America on the boat for she frequently gets sick. Fortunately, her neighbor in the cabin helps her with her seasickness and gives her advice for when they get off the boat. Eilis learns that being in a strange situation can be scary, but even a stranger will help. -
Eilis gets a job at Bartocci's
After getting a home at Mrs. Kehoe's, Eilis begins working at Bartocci's Department Store. She immediately notices the difference of working there and enjoys it. Eilis is maturing as she starts work with the help of strangers. -
Eilis becomes homesick
After receiving letters from her family from home, Eilis becomes extremely homesick. Father Flood notices Eilis's depression and decides to help her and gets her enrolled in a night class to distract her. She starts taking classes to earn her accounting degree. Eilis learns that sometimes being away from family is hard, but there will always be someone to support her and help her become successful. -
Eilis meets Tony at a parish dance
Father Flood decides to start weekly dances at the parish. After attending regularly, Eilis meets an Italian-American man who she eventually begins to date. After being in her sister's beautiful shadow, Eilis becomes more confident as someone takes interest in her and cares about her. -
Eilis learns that her sister has died
After getting into a routine of work, school, and being with Tony, Father Flood appears at Bartocci's one day to speak to Eilis. Eilis learns that Rose had a heart problem and died in her sleep. Eilis is heartbroken but remains strong for the time remaining in Brooklyn. She learns that anything could happen and family needs to be kept close. -
Tony and Eilis secretly get married
Before Eilis leaves for Ireland after hearing the news of her sister, Tony asks her to marry him in private. Eilis learns the importance of relationships and the promises made to make sure that she will come back to him. -
Eilis returns to Ireland
Rose comes home to Ireland to be there for her family, especially her mother. Rose was the one in the family who stayed with her mother and now that she had died, her mother was alone. Eilis learns that family is important and she has to make sacrifices in order to support them. -
Eilis leaves Ireland
Eilis did not mention her relationship with Tony when she came to Ireland. She supports her mother, gets a new job, and spends time with friends. She had an affair with a man named Jim Farrell and became confused with her feelings. She became convinced that she no longer loved Tony and would stay in Ireland. However, Miss Kelly found out and talked to Eilis convincing her to return to Brooklyn. Eilis experiences a lot of growth in this story. She becomes more mature and independent.
