Lucy by the Sea

In Chapter 7, when William is scheduled for his vaccine, the narrative turns more hopeful. Lucy starts to consider what it will mean to return to her “normal” life. She has now been away from New York for nearly a year, and is afraid that she will not be able to return. Here, Strout explores another common pandemic phenomenon—the suspension of normalcy went on for so long that a “new normal” was established for many people. There was a real reluctance, or even apprehension, about picking up one’s life from before the pandemic, a question of if it was even possible. 

Lucy’s friendship with Bob has become increasingly important to her, and he commiserates with her fear of New York. He is also the first person to raise the idea of staying in Maine to Lucy, an idea that William will bring up soon, and has perhaps been working toward for some time. Lucy respects Bob, and by framing her move to Maine in this way, Strout creates a situation in which Lucy may be more amenable to the idea than she would be if William broached it first.

When Lucy finishes her story about the police officer, she decides not to publish it. William argues that it might offer a different perspective, but she worries that society is not in a place to accept what she is trying to say. Strout shows here just how divided and hurt the American public was at this time, regardless of their views. Lucy understands that there is very little understanding between opposing viewpoints, and an inability, or reluctance, to consider the other point of view. In addition, the topic of the police is especially volatile because of the murder of George Floyd.

In the final chapter, when Lucy and William arrive in Boston, they see how the city has changed during the pandemic. They notice the clear blue sky, due to lack of smog—this was a common phenomenon in cities around the world because lockdown had suspended so many people’s daily commutes. The empty streets of Boston are echoed in New York, and Lucy spends her time wandering alone. She notices the kindness of those she meets and the attention people pay to each other, so different from the New York she had left behind. Here, Strout shows another pandemic phenomenon. Although the nation was roiling with upheaval and partisanship, on the individual level, people were often kinder than ever to each other.

In Chapter 8, Strout emphasizes The Changing Role of Motherhood. Lucy finally reconnects with her daughters, but on a new level. With Chrissy, it is on the level of two adult women talking about affairs. Lucy is brutally honest about the reasons behind her own affair and offers Chrissy advice. Yet she doesn’t tell Chrissy what to do, and recognizes that she cannot control Chrissy’s decision. Strout shows how much Lucy has grown in this exchange, and how because of it, their relationship is stronger.

Chrissy and especially Becka show that their view of their relationship with Lucy has changed as well. They are concerned about her new relationship with William and moving to Maine. Becka is loyal to Lucy and shows suspicion of William’s motives: “I’m just not sure Dad’s always trustworthy” (281). This stays with Lucy and she considers it later. She and her daughters have come to the point where, rather than the mother taking care of the children, they are all taking care of each other.

In the end, despite her reservations, Lucy finds comfort with William. In the closing paragraphs of the novel, when they joke about Groucho Marx, Strout emphasizes that the two of them have nearly 40 years of history together—20 years of marriage, and nearly 20 of divorce and friendship. Strout offers closure, and the sense that, although William may have manipulated the situation, Lucy does feel safe with him and finds comfort in their relationship. In addition, Strout has left open the possibility of exploring Lucy and William’s new life in Maine in future books.