Wickham's, "The Light on the Sea"

     Similar to "Blackness," I saw this story as one that arrives at self-actualization and realization. Mr. Farley was an artist who was never satisfied with his work. He could never complete it because he would lose his vision. Our narrator introduced Mr. Farley as someone who might be seen as dealing with 'otherness,' generally seen as an outcast from the rest of the society. The story says, "It did not surprise me that Mr. Farley never succeeded in his career, never became talked about but always remained a kind of butt, outside the swim of things, a harmless figure of fun." Mr. Farley had to deal with this bit of social isolation like we have seen so many characters have to do in this Caribbean literature. He has to feel this way most of his adult life, dealing with the idea of unhomeliness, uncomfortable with his work and not feeling satisfied. That is, until he finds somewhere he foes like to call home.

    This place is where our narrator visits Mr. Farley and gains the insight and wisdom that he has to share. Finally, someone is listening to him and he is having his voice heard. He asks Mr. Farley if he feels lonely to which he responds, "No, not lonelier than I have always felt. I have never been what you would call gregarious. And I never get tired of looking at the sea." This place has become his moment for self-actualization. As he admits, he is not necessarily fulfilled, but he is no worse than he was in his unhappiness and has found something to enjoy - the sea. In comparison to previous stories of death and unrequited love, this story is a breath of fresh air seeing someone who overcame their internal struggles to find happiness, even if it is such a simple place.

-cs

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