When immigrating to a new land, it can be easy to feel guilt. You are leaving behind everyone you know in order to create a better life for yourself. Eilis feels this guilt strongly as she prepares to leave for America. All three of her brothers have already left their village in Ireland to work in England, so once Eilis leaves her mother will be left with only Rose to keep her company. Eilis has seen how upset her mother was when the other children left. Additionally, her father has recently died, leaving her mother even more alone, so she knows that her departure will have a great effect. On page 30, Eilis gets her first real look at just how great that effect will be.

“Oh, it’ll kill me when she goes,” her mother said. Her face wore a dark strained look that Eilis had not seen since the months after their fathers death…. It was clear to Eilis that she was going to cry.”

From this moment the guilt hits her. Even though she knows how good this opportunity will be for her future, she can’t help but feel bad about leaving her mother alone. She also feels guilt in leaving her sister Rose behind. “Rose, she realized… was giving up any real prospect of leaving this house herself and having her own family.” Eilis and Rose both know that if Eilis leaves, Rose will have to stay and take care of her mother for the rest of their lives. Eilis can’t help but feel as though it is unfair that she will get the chance of a lifetime to live and work in America while her sister is stuck at home. These two aspects of guilt greatly effect her journey as an immigrant and as a girl coming of age.