The characters in Mary McCarthy's "The Oasis" find themselves at a critical juncture, where they have anticipated a sense of liberation and clarity. However, instead of enlightenment, they encounter a reflection that reveals their inner complexities and imperfections. This moment acts as a significant turning point for them.

Despite their individual shortcomings, each character had hoped that the strengths and moral qualities of others would help elevate them from their own struggles. This longing for external salvation highlights their vulnerability and the reliance they have on one another, while also illustrating a poignant realization about the nature of human relationships and personal responsibility.