# XXXIV explained — The Mirror of the Sea

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

## What happens

The narrator reflects on his time as night-watchman on the Duke of S—— in Sydney Harbour, describing the bustling port life, the characters he encountered, and his complex relationship with the chief mate Mr. B——, a man struggling with drink and decline.

## Themes in this chapter

### Nostalgia and Loss

The narrator's wistful recollection of the old Duke of S——, now dead, and the vanished era of clipper ships.

### Routine and Monotony

The repetitive night watch, the cry of the saveloy pedlar, and the predictable rituals of Mr. B——'s drunken returns.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. B⸺

Chief mate of the Duke of S——, a heavy drinker who manages to perform his duties despite his nightly struggles; later encountered years afterward, sober but down on his luck.

### Captain MacW⸺

Mentioned as the captain of the Duke of S——, whose presence is noted by the watchman.

## Key lines

> Ports are no good—ships rot, men go to the devil!

Harbors are detrimental; vessels decay and sailors succumb to ruin.

_Mr. B——'s bitter lament about the corrosive effect of port life on ships and men._

> I wish she were at sea out of this.

I wish the ship were sailing away from here.

_Mr. B—— expresses his desire to escape the temptations and stagnation of port._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mirror_of_the_sea_se/chapters/xxxiv
- 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