The Waves

This section, like each section, opens with a poetic description of the setting and natural landscape. These sections are in italics and mark the transition from one part to another, structured as the gradual passage of the sun over the course of one day. This first description focuses on the dawn slowly breaking over the shoreline.

Six children named Jinny, Rhoda, Neville, Louis, Susan, and Bernard wake up in the countryside. They tell the story of their day in the first-person stream-of-consciousness style, the narrative passing to each in turn. They see and interact with one another throughout the day, adding different dimensions to one another’s sense of becoming.

Louis hides behind a hedge, watching the other children play. He hopes that they won’t see him, but Jinny finds him and kisses him. Susan sees Jinny kissing Louis and is filled with agony. Bernard sees Susan on the brink of tears and wants to follow her to be there to comfort her.

The children explore the land around the country house, called Elvedon.