The Sea Change

The Sea Change was one of the more controversial works by Hemmingway that we read in class, although many of them were controversial in one way or another. In brief summation The Sea Change is the story of a young couple in Paris, France who are caught up in a peculiar argument. The woman has cheated on the man with another woman and he is trying to deal with his views on homosexuality. At first there is much anger and confusion from Phil, the man, which then transitions into some form of acceptance and curiosity. He finally gives her permission to revisit her lover and asks her to tell him about her experience.

There are certainly many different interpretations of this story and exactly how homosexuality plays into the story and how it affects the different characters. On the surface level it is obvious that the girl is open to bisexuality, as she has already told Phil that she has cheated on him with another woman. The real character in question though is Phil. We see a change in his attitude, the sea change for which the story is named, as he gives her permission to fulfill her wishes. It is generally agreed that throughout the course of their discussion his views on sexuality have changed and he becomes more open to her relationship. However, is there more to this change? I believe that there is some evidence that Phil is questioning his own sexuality, and gaining some experience though the girl. As I mentioned before he asks her to return to him and tell about her experience suggesting that he is indeed interested in the concept. In addition after the girl leaves the bar Phil approaches the bar and proclaims to the bartender that he is “a different man”. Now this could simply mean that the experience has changed his views on his relationship with the girl, but it could also mean something deeper. This only adds to the argument that something has changed within him regarding his own sexuality.

As is traditional Hemmingway we are left largely to our own interpretations of the work as he has intentionally used what is referred to as the iceberg technique, meaning most of the meaning is under the surface. There are many different ways to look at the young couple’s experience, and indeed it may mean something completely different to each reader.