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Spindrift A short story by Candida Baker
Summary • The short story ‘Spindrift’ is about an older woman, in her earlier fifties, whom was born in England before moving to Australia. Growing up in England she had a negative experience at the beach, her younger sister nearly drowning, which created her hate for the sea. Then later on in her life when she is married with a son living in Australia on the coast, her detest for the sea remains. Her husband and son love the beach and the coast, while she misses England dearly. Then many years later, when her son is grown up and married, her husband gets cancer and passes away, leaving her a widow. As she hated the beach she decides to sell the house her husband, who was an architect, built for her and move away from the beach. After it is sold at the auction she wanders to the beach and at the spur of the moment goes in the water, wandering out to sea, diving under the waves. Until one large wave knocks her under the water, nearly drowning her. But when she gets out of the water she has a new born respect for the sea. Walking back to her house with a different opinion about the beach, she decided that she doesn’t want to move, that she will stay in the house her husband had built for her.
Interpretation • In the story ‘Spindrift’ the author is exploring the ways your past experiences and bringing up can effect a persons choices and feelings later on in life. The author is also exploring the effects losing a loved one can place on a person
Views • A value presented could be Loyalty because even though she hates the beach she still stays because she loves her husband that loved the beach. This is demonstrated by Rosie staying in the house event though she hates the beach for most of her life. This is especially evident when as she is leaving she goes back to the beach and realises she like the beach and decides to stay in the house built by her husband. The author makes this more evident by showing the contrasts between Rosie and her husband's view of the same thing like the beach yet despite these differences they both change to accommodate the others feelings. Though the use of comparing their two different feelings towards the same thing the author makes it more apparent the value in the act of Rosie continuing to be there for her husband even though he is dead.
Values • Baker is endorsing giving things another try even if you really don't like it, You shouldn't give up on someone or something because it may come back and surprise you. She does this when Rosie hates the beach for the majority of her life and then at the last time she is at the beach she goes back into the water and decides she loves it. The author is saying that Things and feelings change overtime and people need to accommodate these changes and keep trying things. It is also saying you should never give up on things because they may change and become different if not better.
Personal reflection • I found this story comforting and pleasant because I enjoy stories that have happy or peaceful endings. It shows that you can move on from a tremendous personal loss like that of your spouse. When Rosie is thinking of her husband Peter it is obvious how much she loved him and misses him but she is still bale to move on and continue her life on her own. I like this because it shows her strength of character, and her sense of obligation to do what she feels she must.
