In this excerpt, the scene is set with a stretch of sand and vast dark blue sea, creating a sense of mystery and the unknown. The narrator describes how the horizon is indistinguishable, emphasizing the limitless nature of the ocean and the mystery beyond it.
The quote reveals a childhood belief held by Maggie, imagining that beyond the sea, the world might end and lead into a starry sky. This reflects themes of wonder, curiosity, and the innocent imagination of childhood, imagining a connection between the earth and the universe.