The Eye of the Hurricane

Plot

Section 1

• Barclay, the narrator, has recently moved into Captain Stevens' house in Hamnavoe.
• He collects rum for Captain Stevens every Friday but is asked to get it earlier due to a cold.
• Captain Stevens requests more bottles of rum, raising suspicions, but Barclay agrees.

Section 2

• Barclay is a writer, a newcomer to the island, and a Catholic.
• He learns about Captain Stevens' drinking problem from Miriam, who cleans for him.
• Miriam advises Barclay not to buy rum for Captain Stevens, explaining that he goes on binges.
• Barclay refuses Captain Stevens' request for more rum and is threatened with eviction.

Section 3

• Barclay faces writer's block and Miriam's warnings to refuse alcohol persist.
• Captain Stevens becomes increasingly erratic and abusive, accusing Barclay of seducing Miriam.
• Captain Stevens is convinced they are at sea with him.

Section 4

• Barclay writes a book about an Orkney Earl's voyage to Jerusalem in the twelfth century.
• Miriam asks for help with the drunken Captain Stevens, who threatens to involve the law.

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Prose

• On a walk, Barclay discovers Captain Stevens' wife and child's grave and returns to the house.
• Miriam unexpectedly kisses Barclay.

Section 5

• Barclay dreams of Miriam but is interrupted by sailors Robert and Stony, whom Miriam had warned him about.
• They head to Captain Stevens' room, and a loud crash is heard.
• Captain Stevens speaks as if they are at sea in a hurricane, imparts advice, and then collapses.

Section 6

• Barclay rushes to get Miriam, who returns to find Captain Stevens has passed away.
• The section describes Captain Stevens' funeral, and Stony expresses admiration for him.
• Barclay finds comfort in religious music.
• In the weeks after the funeral, Barclay continues his writing and sees Miriam among Salvationists singing at the pier-head.