Abstract
The Sea is a novel written by John Banville. Even if it was published in 2006, its story takes place at the end of the 19th and at the beginning of the 20th century in France. This extract begins with the meeting and the marriage of Pierre Bonnard and Marthe de Méligny. Then, it offers a long description, both physical and psychological, of Marthe, especially in the light of her husband's paintings. It finishes on the narrator's recollection about a woman named Anna. The interesting thing in this passage lies in the fact that it begins like an ordinary love story, but does not follow that path. This way, it allows us to discuss as to how this text represents a special kind of piece of life. That is why Marthe's description will be first studied. Then, as far as their everyday life is displayed here, we can look into the special relationship existing between Marthe and Pierre. To finish, it seems interesting to study the narration itself.
