Often times we talk to individuals about their favorite vacation spot or where the place they feel the most at rest is; the response we get most often is the ocean. This is because the ocean is restorative. The quiet roar of the waves, the sound of seagulls chirping, the salty breeze, the ocean is a place of peace. For many the sea is not just a vacation destination, but the sea is a friend. Something that is consistent, and always listening. This is the case for our friend Lettie Hempstock’s pond in Neil Gaiman’s novel “The Ocean at the End of the Lane”
Lettie takes great pride in her pond; to her, it’s an ocean. Not many others see it that way though. Our unnamed boy acknowledges how much this pond means to Lettie by saying, “Together, Lettie and I walked down to her ocean, by which I mean, the pond.” (Gaiman p.148) While the boy may not have personally seen the vastness and importance of the pond, he knew it’s value to Lettie. To Lettie, her “ocean” had become a sanctuary, it was a place of refuge. Not only was it a safe place for her, and the doorway to a magical world, the pond became her friend. It took on lifelike characteristics and became a constant listening ear.
The Hempstock’s pond became a listener to Lettie’s heart. Never once does it …show more content…
‘Your pond. It’s not an ocean. It can’t be. Oceans are bigger than seas. Your pond is just a pond.’” (Gaiman p.150) But, Lettie was strong in her beliefs. She didn’t let anyone take away her “ocean,” she simply responded with “It’s as big as it needs to be.” (Gaiman p.150) It’s that simple. The boy may not have understood the vastness and value to Lettie’s pond, but she did, it was as big as she needed it to be, and that’s all that matters. The world may not see or value our personal oceans, but to us, it’s all we need them to
Lettie takes great pride in her pond; to her, it’s an ocean. Not many others see it that way though. Our unnamed boy acknowledges how much this pond means to Lettie by saying, “Together, Lettie and I walked down to her ocean, by which I mean, the pond.” (Gaiman p.148) While the boy may not have personally seen the vastness and importance of the pond, he knew it’s value to Lettie. To Lettie, her “ocean” had become a sanctuary, it was a place of refuge. Not only was it a safe place for her, and the doorway to a magical world, the pond became her friend. It took on lifelike characteristics and became a constant listening ear.
The Hempstock’s pond became a listener to Lettie’s heart. Never once does it …show more content…
‘Your pond. It’s not an ocean. It can’t be. Oceans are bigger than seas. Your pond is just a pond.’” (Gaiman p.150) But, Lettie was strong in her beliefs. She didn’t let anyone take away her “ocean,” she simply responded with “It’s as big as it needs to be.” (Gaiman p.150) It’s that simple. The boy may not have understood the vastness and value to Lettie’s pond, but she did, it was as big as she needed it to be, and that’s all that matters. The world may not see or value our personal oceans, but to us, it’s all we need them to