# XLIV explained — The Mirror of the Sea

> Chapter companion for The Mirror of the Sea by Joseph Conrad.

## What happens

The Tremolino slips out to sea at dusk, pursued by a guardacosta. Dominic discovers the mainsail's stitching has been cut, revealing treachery aboard. He and the narrator resolve to scuttle the ship on a known rock to avoid capture.

## Themes in this chapter

### Man vs. Nature

The crew battles a gathering storm and heavy seas while fleeing the guardacosta, highlighting the struggle against the elements.

### Art of Seamanship

Dominic's expert navigation and the narrator's skill in steering the Tremolino under duress demonstrate the mastery required at sea.

### The Sea as Mirror

The sea reflects the internal turmoil of betrayal and the moral crisis of scuttling the beloved vessel.

## Character check-ins

### Dominic Cervoni

The Padrone of the Tremolino, who detects the cut sail and plans to kill the ship on a rock to evade the guardacosta.

### Mr. Conrad

The narrator, who steers the Tremolino and agrees to Dominic's plan to scuttle the vessel.

## Key lines

> We slipped out to sea quietly at dusk, and all through the night everything went well.

The Tremolino departed unnoticed at twilight, and the night passage was uneventful.

_Sets the scene for the escape and subsequent chase._

> I tell you she is in chase,

Dominic confirms the vessel is pursuing them.

_Highlights Dominic's certainty and the tension of the pursuit._

> Il faut la tuer.

She must be killed.

_Dominic's decisive plan to scuttle the Tremolino to prevent capture._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mirror_of_the_sea_se/chapters/xliv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mirror_of_the_sea_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mirror_of_the_sea_se/chapters