“The Light Between Oceans” by M.L. Stedman is a heart-wrenching novel that explores the intricacies of human relationships and the moral dilemmas that come with them. The story takes place in the town of Point Partageuse, Australia, during the 1920s, where a lighthouse keeper and his wife find a lifeboat containing a live baby and a dead man on the shore of their isolated island. The couple decides to keep the baby and raises her as their own, but their decision comes with devastating consequences.
Through her debut novel, Stedman creates an allegory that delves into the complexities of human nature and the choices people make. The novel touches on themes of love, loss, and the consequences of one’s actions. By using the symbolism of a lighthouse, Stedman highlights the importance of making the right choices and the consequences that come with making the wrong ones.
Overall, “The Light Between Oceans” is a must-read for anyone who enjoys thought-provoking literature that explores the intricacies of human nature. Stedman’s use of allegory and symbolism makes the novel a compelling read that leaves a lasting impact on the reader.
Overview of ‘The Light Between Oceans’
‘The Light Between Oceans’ is a novel by M.L. Stedman that tells the story of Tom Sherbourne, a World War I veteran who becomes a lighthouse keeper on Janus Rock, an isolated island off the coast of Western Australia. The novel is set in the 1920s and explores themes of love, loss, and the consequences of difficult decisions.
The story begins with Tom’s arrival on Janus Rock, where he meets and falls in love with Isabel Graysmark, a local woman. The couple marries and begins to build a life together on the island, but struggles with infertility. One day, a boat washes up on the shore carrying a dead man and a crying baby. Isabel convinces Tom to keep the baby and raise her as their own, but as the years go by, the couple’s secret begins to unravel.
‘The Light Between Oceans’ is a powerful allegory for the consequences of our actions, and the difficult choices we must make in life. Through the story of Tom and Isabel, Stedman explores the complexities of love, loss, and the human condition, and leaves readers with a profound understanding of the power of forgiveness and redemption.
Historical Context of the Novel
The Light Between Oceans is a historical fiction novel set in the early 20th century. The story takes place in the aftermath of World War I, a time when many people were struggling to rebuild their lives. The novel is set in Australia, a country that was still developing its identity and struggling with its relationship with the British Empire.
During this time, Australia was facing economic and social challenges. The country was experiencing a post-war depression, and many people were struggling to find work. The government was also grappling with issues related to immigration and the treatment of Indigenous Australians. These issues are reflected in the novel’s portrayal of the town of Point Partageuse, where the characters live.
The novel also explores themes related to the role of women in society. During this time, women were fighting for the right to vote and to have greater control over their lives. The character of Isabel, who is a strong and independent woman, reflects these struggles.
Main Themes in ‘The Light Between Oceans’
The Light Between Oceans is a novel that deals with several themes, including love, morality, and the consequences of one’s actions. The following are the main themes in the novel:
1. Love
Love is a significant theme in The Light Between Oceans. The novel explores different types of love, including romantic love, familial love, and love for a child. The main characters, Tom and Isabel, fall in love and get married, and their love for each other is tested when they discover a baby on a boat that washes ashore. The love they have for the child leads them to make difficult decisions that have long-lasting consequences.
2. Morality
Morality is another important theme in the novel. The characters are faced with moral dilemmas, and their choices have significant consequences. For example, Tom and Isabel’s decision to keep the baby they found on the boat leads to a series of events that have a profound impact on their lives and the lives of others.
3. Consequences of One’s Actions
The novel explores the consequences of one’s actions. The choices that the characters make have far-reaching consequences that affect not only themselves but also those around them. Tom and Isabel’s decision to keep the baby leads to a tragic outcome that affects several people.
Allegorical Elements in the Narrative
The Light Between Oceans is a novel with several allegorical elements that add depth to the narrative. The lighthouse, for instance, is a symbol of hope and guidance. It represents a beacon of light in the darkness, showing the way to those who are lost. The lighthouse keeper, Tom, takes on the role of a guardian, protecting those who come to him for shelter.
The ocean, on the other hand, represents the unknown and the unpredictable. It is both beautiful and dangerous, reflecting the complexities of life. The ocean is also a metaphor for the human psyche, with its calm and turbulent waters representing the different emotional states of the characters.
The characters themselves are allegorical as well. Tom represents duty and responsibility, while his wife, Isabel, represents passion and impulsiveness. Their daughter, Lucy, represents innocence and the future. These characters’ interactions with each other and the world around them create a complex web of allegorical relationships that reveal the novel’s deeper themes.
Character Analysis and Their Symbolic Roles
The characters in “The Light Between Oceans” are complex and multi-dimensional, each playing a symbolic role in the allegory. Tom Sherbourne, the protagonist, represents the moral compass of the story. He is a man of duty and honor, who is haunted by his past and struggles to do what is right. His wife, Isabel Graysmark, represents the emotional heart of the story. She is impulsive and passionate, driven by her desire for a family and her love for Tom. Together, they represent the struggle between reason and emotion.
The supporting characters in the story also play important symbolic roles. Hannah Roennfeldt, the biological mother of the baby, represents forgiveness and redemption. She is a woman who has suffered great loss but is able to find peace through forgiveness. The lighthouse itself represents the beacon of hope and guidance, a symbol of the light that guides us through the darkness.
Moral Dilemmas and Ethical Questions
The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman is a novel that explores the moral dilemmas and ethical questions that arise when people are faced with difficult choices. The characters in the novel are faced with situations that force them to question their beliefs and values, and to make decisions that have far-reaching consequences.
One of the central ethical questions in the novel is whether it is ever justified to keep a child that is not one’s own. Tom and Isabel, the main characters, find a baby washed up on the shore and decide to keep her as their own. They convince themselves that they are doing the right thing, but as the child grows up, they begin to realize the enormity of their decision and the impact it has on others.
The novel also explores the moral dilemma of whether it is better to tell the truth or to keep a secret. Tom and Isabel keep the baby’s true origins a secret from everyone, including the child herself. They believe that they are protecting her, but as the truth begins to come out, they are forced to confront the consequences of their actions.
The Setting as an Allegory
The setting of “The Light Between Oceans” plays a crucial role in the allegory of the novel. The story takes place on Janus Rock, an isolated island off the coast of Australia, where the lighthouse keeper Tom Sherbourne and his wife Isabel live. The island is surrounded by treacherous waters and is only accessible by boat. This setting represents the isolation and loneliness that the characters experience throughout the novel.
The lighthouse itself also serves as an allegory for the characters’ emotional states. It represents hope, guidance, and safety, but it also symbolizes the characters’ isolation and separation from the rest of the world. The lighthouse’s light is a recurring motif throughout the novel, representing the characters’ search for clarity and understanding in their lives.
Furthermore, the ocean serves as a metaphor for the characters’ emotional turmoil. The ocean is vast, unpredictable, and ever-changing, just like the characters’ emotions. The ocean’s power is a constant reminder of the characters’ vulnerability and the fragility of their lives.
Light and Darkness: Symbolism in the Book
The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman is a novel that is rich in symbolism. One of the most prominent symbols in the book is light. The lighthouse on Janus Rock is a beacon of light that serves as a warning to ships, but it also represents hope and safety for the characters in the book. The light is a symbol of the goodness that exists in the world, even in the midst of darkness.
The darkness in the book is represented by the ocean, which is vast and unpredictable. The ocean is a symbol of the unknown and the uncontrollable. It represents the dangers that exist in the world and the challenges that the characters must face. The darkness is also present in the emotional struggles that the characters face. They are dealing with grief, loss, and guilt, which are all dark emotions.
The contrast between light and darkness is used to great effect in the book. The light represents the hope and goodness that exist in the world, while the darkness represents the challenges and struggles that the characters must face. The characters must navigate through the darkness to find the light. They must confront their fears and their emotions to find their way to a better place.
The Lighthouse: A Beacon of Allegory
The lighthouse in “The Light Between Oceans” serves as a powerful symbol of hope, guidance, and salvation. It represents the light of truth, shining bright amidst the darkness of moral ambiguity and ethical dilemmas.
As the lighthouse keeper, Tom Sherbourne is responsible for maintaining the beacon and ensuring that it remains lit, even in the most treacherous of storms. This duty mirrors his own moral responsibility to uphold the truth and protect the innocent, even when it comes at great personal cost.
In contrast, the lighthouse also represents the dangers of isolation and the consequences of unchecked power. Tom’s isolation on Janus Rock, combined with his authority over the island’s inhabitants, leads to a series of tragic events that threaten to tear apart his family and the community.
Interpreting the Ending: Allegorical Significance
The ending of The Light Between Oceans is a crucial part of the novel’s allegorical significance. The book’s central theme is the consequences of making decisions based on emotions rather than reason. The ending emphasizes this theme by showing the devastating effects of Tom and Isabel’s choices.
Tom and Isabel’s decision to keep the baby, Lucy, despite knowing that she was not theirs, was a decision based purely on their emotions. They were blinded by their love for Lucy and their desire to have a child. However, this decision had severe consequences, not only for themselves but for the child’s biological mother and father.
The ending of the novel shows that Tom and Isabel’s decision ultimately leads to the destruction of their family. Their guilt and grief over what they have done consume them, and they are unable to move past it. The novel’s allegorical significance lies in the fact that it emphasizes the importance of making decisions based on reason and logic rather than emotions.
Comparisons to Other Allegorical Works
When it comes to allegorical works, “The Light Between Oceans” by M.L. Stedman shares similarities with several other literary works. One of the most notable is “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Both novels explore the theme of the American Dream and the consequences of pursuing it relentlessly. In “The Light Between Oceans,” the characters’ desire for a child leads them to make questionable moral choices, while in “The Great Gatsby,” the characters’ pursuit of wealth and status leads to tragic consequences.
Another allegorical work that shares similarities with “The Light Between Oceans” is “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding. Both novels explore the theme of the loss of innocence and the descent into darkness. In “The Light Between Oceans,” the characters’ moral compasses are tested as they struggle to do what is right, while in “Lord of the Flies,” a group of boys stranded on an island descend into savagery as they struggle to survive.
Finally, “The Light Between Oceans” can also be compared to “Heart of Darkness” by Joseph Conrad. Both novels explore the theme of the darkness that lies within the human soul. In “The Light Between Oceans,” the characters must confront their own moral weaknesses as they navigate the consequences of their actions, while in “Heart of Darkness,” the main character must confront the darkness within himself as he journeys up the Congo River.