The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman

Mini analysis and summary

Ferhat BÜLBÜL 2014, KLAIPEDA

Details of the Novel

Author: M.L. Stedman

Book: The Light between Oceans

Publishing year: April, 2013

Publisher: Scribner; e-book edition

Pages: 352

Type: Novel

Literature period: The Contemporary Period

Plot Summary

Tom Sherbourne has just left service in WWI after four harrowing years on the Western Front, he returns to Australia and takes a job as the lighthouse keeper on Janus Rock, nearly half a day’s journey from the coast. To this isolated island, where the supply boat comes once a season, Tom brings a young, brave, and loving wife, Isabel. Years later, after three miscarriages, the grieving Isabel hears a baby’s cries on the wind. A boat has washed up onshore carrying a dead man and a living baby.

Tom, who keeps accurate records and whose moral principles have withstood a horrific war, wants to report the man and infant immediately. But Isabel insists the baby is a “gift from God,” and against Tom’s judgment, they claim her as their own and name her Lucy. When she is two, Tom and Isabel return to the mainland and they are reminded that there are other people in the world. Their choice has devastated one of them, Lucy’s reall family. Novel ends with Tom’s and his wife Isabels grief and pains.

Themes

Family

I guess the most prevalent theme in the novel is Family. Plot surrounds one couple's desire to become parents regardless of the consequences. Unfortunately, their dream of starting a family never come true due to Isabel’s a series of miscarriage. As the novel progresses, it becomes clear that families are often forged sacrifice, and by the end of the novel, i see that true love and determination can overcome any obstacle. Families are much more than groups of individuals. They have their own goals and aspirations. Conflicts and disagreements are a normal part of family life and are important as they permit people to communicate their differences and respect each other.

Themes

Isolation

Throughout the novel, protagonist Tom feels isolated by his

choices. He loves isolation as it gives power for defence

towards his fears and quiltness. First, he feels isolated as a child

when his parents' marriage fall apart and loses his relationship

with them. Now he has a family but still he likes isolation and

that feeling against being family. It is true that staying away

form reality keeps yourself greater but life is reality and no way

out. Tom maybe relieve his guilt however isolation would never

be the solution of problems.

Themes

Guilt

At the opening of the novel, Tom is ruined by guilt of being

alive and healthy after so many good men died. This has

made Tom a martyr, and is the reason why he doesn't feel

comfortable interacting with other people. It is a masochistic

way of living.

Everyone experiences guilt at one time or another during their

life. While some guilt can induce positive change, it can also

become self-destructive, wasting energy and adding stress to

your life. If you cannot eliminate, or at least minimize, your guilt

life would be unbearable. We have to take action to control it.

Once for all

The novel is admirable and close to reality. It is easy

understand the meaning but hard to read it as second

language learner that of author’s complex language and

structure and what more is that it deals with the inner workings

and emotions of many characters. But plot and the general

meaning is discoverable.

«The Light Between Oceans» is an incredible novel about what

happens when good people make bad decisions.