The seaside: Literature and life

As someone who has explored numerous genres of literature, a recurring theme, in terms of setting, has always intrigued me. Aspects of setting are important in literature, for many reasons. It offers the opportunity to explore more about the characters, with a change of setting opening new ideas and thoughts. Setting can also help set the tone for scenes, with a more darker setting creating a gloomy atmosphere for a chilling murder. Yet, changing this murder scene to a well-kept and bright garden, creates a chilling contrast and a sense of uneasiness. However, the specific setting of the seaside can sometimes be perceived as unimportant, just a simple place to plop your characters in. A major recurring aspect of the sea is the act of healing and escaping. 

Similar to most Britons, my childhood holidays consisted of traveling far to Wales to the windy beaches. These beach trips consisted of rocky shores, homes to an array of; smooth stones, others with tiny holes dotted around, some long and thin and perfect to skip in the water. Yet, they all have one thing in common, the manic joy of trying to walk on them. If you were lucky to get sand, this then became a canvas. Smiling faces and wonky hearts created by a lost stick. Architecture made of childhood wonders. 

In the article “Top 10 seaside novels” by The Guardian (link below), the sea is said to “represent renewal” and “one might turn around…changed” in literature and in life. This idea is intrinsically important in my personal life, which has currently almost leaked its way into my reading. 

The heart-warming classic of Little Women by Lousia May Alcott is known for the distinct characters of the March sisters. The seaside is not an important theme for the novel, yet in chapter 36, a trip to the seaside leads to an emotional change for two of the sisters. Jo decides to take Beth on a trip to the seaside in order to help her heal. Scientifically and spiritually, the sea is known for its healing qualities. Spending time by or in the ocean can cleanse your mind and body. Jo takes Beth on this trip to use these healing qualities as a last hope. Yet, this is the point in which Joe senses that Beth is not long for this world. Jo returns “inland, changed”, with a new heartbreaking knowledge. Jo first set out to heal Beth, hoping for a bright new outcome, but was left with a more truthful and bittersweet realization. 

Seaside towns are notoriously quiet and secluded, the direct change of scenery almost creates a new life for characters. The sea “can represent renewal”, characters are able to make a new name, create new ideas and a new sense of self. Iris Murdock’s protagonist in The sea, The sea can be an example of this. The 1978 novel follows Charles Arrowby, a retired theatre director who has decided to move to the small coastal town, Shruff End, in order to escape the busy London. He moves in order to create a hermit-like life for him to write his memoir, yet his past will never truly leave him alone, physically and mentally. 

During an old University Open Day as a group workshop, we read and digested Difference by Mark Doty. After the reading we were asked to offer our own personal connection with the sea. I offered a timid explanation of my short trips to Wales when I was younger and nothing else. One girl was from Australia, so she won in a weird sort of way. The poem stayed with me due to it being the first time I had sat with a group of different people and discussed a poem. Of course I had done the works of Carol Ann Duffy, Philip Larkin and Christina Rossetti (the latter being the favourite), but this felt different due to the offering of personal ideas and connections to the poems. These people who I had never met and never would again, opened up and shared. Now, this poem itself does not offer the idea of seaside being a form of escapism or healing. The poem uses the idea of how jelly-fish move and “shapeshift” to offer a metaphor for language, in terms of the way we speak and how our mouths move. Language and words are used to make sense of the unknown. Yet, I wanted to add this due to my personal connection with the poem and the instance that I first read it. I almost turned “around…Changed “. 

There are numerous novels and poems out in the world which explores this idea. Most novels keep this a hidden theme, aiding in their characterization and storyline. A trip to the seaside means a lot to different people. Yet, we can all agree on one thing. Seagulls are evil.