The sea

The sea symbolizes the separation between the two worlds, England and South America. The journey over the seas marks an opportunity to be someone else in a separate context, to exist without the same constraints (though the hotel recreates some of those same restraints in its attempt to recreate English society). On the sea, contexts are suspended, and the English people on board are estranged from their English context. During the excursion on the mountain, Hewet reflects on how context gives meaning to experience, noting that people group together not because they necessarily like each other, but because they derive significance from experiencing things together. Not having context means you have to make sense of things without having a way to measure things relatively.

Helen reflects, as they sail out to sea and London becomes increasingly distant: "The sea might give her death or some...