Lighthouse

The lighthouse is symbolic of finding a way home. Literally, the lighthouse on Fleet Rock helps those at sea find the shore safely. It is symbolic of the hope and comfort that comes with finding refuge. In the novel, the lighthouse is where Isobel and Miranda find refuge for a different reason. It is Joseph’s home where they know they can find him. It is also symbolic of the changing times. In the early days of lighthouses, the keeper needed to watch the light constantly to keep it lit. Over time, the light became automated, then obsolete. Despite its uselessness in 1970, the lighthouse continues to stand as a reminder of the past and the progress of the future. The eternal quality of the lighthouse factors into Joseph’s hideout there. It is a respected and historical structure that is not challenged by authority. The lighthouse...