This paper examines how individual memories as mirror image of national history are detrimental to reaching an epiphany or a keen sense of political and historical consciousness. In "Eveline," nostalgic memory ends up disguising the past and paralyzing Eveline`s agency and ability to change her oppressive present. As long as nostalgic memory of the past repeatedly numbs her pains in the present, it is not so easy for Eveline to sever the umbilical cord that has bound Eveline to her family for her whole life, much as the Irish are yoked to Irish history. In this view, memories cannot be seen simply as counter histories that could straightforwardly challenge the legitimizing force of history. Instead, we should note that memories are in complex complicity with history in paralyzing individuals. Much like history, nostalgic memory turns an individual into a "passive" and "helpless" being (D 41). More importantly, since an individual`s memories are deeply intertwined with his/her national history, the story "Eveline" can be read as an alternative historiography mapping how much of Irish``s psychological territory is colonized by the Janus faced past―rosy and nostalgic, but oppressive and paralyzing at the same time―just as Ireland`s national territory is colonized by the foreign force. In other words, the psychological state of Eveline can be expanded to the Irish collectively, who are like "passive," "helpless animal[s]" (D 41), both under the grip of oppressive, dehumanizing history, and under the paralyzing hypnosis of nostalgic memories of their lost homeland.