Characters
Bill
Bill, who narrates the story, is a contradictory character in some ways. Whereas he refers to himself as a 鈥榯ough old seaman鈥 and attempts to build a tough, gritty image of himself, he is clearly sensitive and vulnerable. Andrina鈥檚 visits are important to him, though he certainly doesn鈥檛 show sufficient thanks and respect to her through his lack of interest. The descriptions of Andrina bringing 鈥榣颈驳丑迟鈥 are particularly effective as Bill seems to live a lonely, sometimes grey, life.
Bill鈥檚 abandonment of Sigrid shows a character who can be selfish and cowardly. However, one suspects that he has paid for this with a sense of 鈥榬辞辞迟濒别蝉蝉苍别蝉蝉鈥 that followed him for years afterwards. One may even argue that, when Bill states that it 鈥榟耻谤迟蝉鈥 to think of Sigrid, it is possibly to feel a degree of sympathy for him. Though flawed, Bill is far from an evil character. He is, like everyone, vulnerable. When he states that the abandonment of Sigrid is a story that is a 鈥榤ingling of innocence and heartlessness鈥, he is accurate in his self-reflection.
Sigrid
Sigrid鈥檚 letter to Bill gives us an insight into a thoughtful character, who has a character that is blessed with forgiveness. Despite his unfair treatment of her, she still has a 鈥榬别驳补谤诲鈥 for Bill years afterwards. The events of her life 鈥 from her journey to Tasmania to her loss of Andrina 鈥 leads the reader to feel huge sympathy towards her.
Andrina
In many ways, Andrina contrasts with Bill. Whereas Bill is often described in tough, gritty manner, Andrina is characterised by sweetness and grace. Sigrid states that she 鈥榟as seen such sweetness rarely鈥 as in Andrina and, throughout the story, she brings cheer and positivity.
Sigrid鈥檚 letter is our most detailed (and reliable) source of information regarding Andrina, and it correlates with the thoughtful character who Bill himself describes. She has a sense of wonder that is endearing 鈥 she genuinely wants to find out about her grandfather and she genuinely wants to help him. There is a childlike innocence to Andrina that brings positivity where she goes 鈥 the light that she brings to both Sigrid and Bill is much more than visual, generating warmth and optimism. Overall, Andrina鈥檚 character is a symbol of unconditional love and the support that it can bring.
Although it is not revealed to the closing sections of the story, Andrina鈥檚 character is a ghost, though not in the disturbing way that we would expect.