In Eula Biss’ short story “On The Coast”, her visual language and character descriptions help set the scene for the reader, as well as introduces the theme of freedom. Biss creates a juxtaposition in this story in regards to the balance of freedom in our world. At the beginning she talks about how she is with complete strangers, and illustrates a sense of freedom when she says “this beach is a kind of no-man’s land” (52). When thinking about no-man’s land the image that come to mind is that rural, uninhabited land. Whereas in this example the no-man’s land is dropped right next to busy city blocks. As she continues on and explains that the beach they are on is not no-man’s land at all. She states how the land they are on is forbidden to the public due to the cemetery, and that the beach just a few blocks north is owned by the city of Evanston and cost seven dollars to visit. The lake itself represents the struggle for freedom as it is a natural wonder that has been taken ownership of.
In regards to the characters, Biss continues the theme of freedom through description of the Polish man named Andre. She tells how he left his home country in search of opportunity, yet now “he isn’t entirely sure that he didn’t make a mistake” (52). Her use of double negatives in this sentence furthers the tone of negative energy and lack of freedom. At the very end of the story Biss shifts her portrayal of Andre when she refers to him as “the immigrant, the pioneer” (52). Her reference to Andre as a pioneer goes hand in hand with her previous analogy to Lake Michigan as “an endless prairie of water” (52). Yet instead of the pioneer being able to explore and venture about the prairie, he is stuck having to abide by the laws of authority.
Jayden Hanna Eng125 Blog 