The Eye of the Hurricane

Characters

Barclay

Description

• Barclay is the narrator of the story and a sensible, thoughtful character.
• He is an incomer to the island, not very socially active, and values his writing above all.
• Barclay has a simple daily routine, which provides him with clarity and comfort.
• He is a devout Catholic, and his religion is essential to him, instilling a sense of charity and empathy.

Empathy

• Barclay's faith leads him to pray for the salvation of Captain Stevens in the days leading up to the captain's death.
• He is empathetic and strives to bring solace and happiness to others through his books.
• Feels guilty for fantasising about Miriam, seeing it as a betrayal of her.

Captain Stevens

Description

• Initially portrayed as mild-mannered and polite, Captain Stevens is a character who changes as he consumes more alcohol.
• He becomes untrustworthy, offensive, vindictive, and desperate in his pursuit of alcohol.
• Despite his flaws, there is sympathy for him as it is revealed that he has suffered the loss of his wife and son, which led him to alcohol.

---

Prose

Admiration

• Captain Stevens is highly admired by sailors like Stony and Robert, who praise his courage, leadership, and fairness.

Miriam

Description

• Miriam is a religious character with a straight-laced lifestyle, worshipping with the Salvation Army.
• Her religious outlook provides the framework for her life, and she is a loyal friend to Captain Stevens.
• Her purity and devotion to religious duties can make her appear almost frosty in her communication.

Strong Moral Duty

• Miriam plays a central role in the story due to her strong sense of moral duty, especially toward Captain Stevens.
• She provides comfort and support to Captain Stevens even in his intoxicated state.