Struggles in Family Life as Reflected on M.L. Stedman's "The Light Between Oceans"

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

When a person reads a literary piece, he is into world not his own. His involvement in that world denotes values that will enrich his experiences. He may even grow and evolve through the literary journey with books.

METHODS

The researcher used the descriptive method of research with emphasis on content analysis; thus, making the study analytical in nature and demanded a careful attention, critical examination or scrutiny of the novel. The formalistic approach in literary criticism was also employed.

RESULTS

The novel's theme included the never ending search for love and importance of family and relationship. The novel implied that the goal in a marriage is to think and decide together. The novel simply tells for people to have an understanding towards others feeling and that love conquers everything. People must be considerate enough of other people’s needs. It also implied that forgiveness is not just a feeling but it's a decision.

DISCUSSIONS

The novel, The Light Between Oceans illustrated some of the family problems that was encountered by the characters such as decision making, conflicts, etc. which affected their personal relationships. Family problems shown in the novel greatly affects the behavior of the characters specially for Tom and Isabel as they found the child and treated her as their own. These problems relate to real life family problems of Filipinos.