Point of View

The Sea, the Sea is written entirely from a first person, subjective point of view - that of Charles Arrowby. The first thing to note here is that the first person perspective perfectly suits the character. Charles is hugely self centered and egotistical, therefore it only makes sense that his story is only told from his perspective. In other words, Charles' self involvement is clearly defined not only in terms of substance but also in terms of style, even though that style shifts back and forth from diary or journal entries to a more considered, less immediately recalled memoir. There is a sense of urgency and of randomness about the former style and a sense of careful choice about the latter, but there is also the very clear sense that events are recorded and recounted with little or no attempt at true objectivity. This makes him...