Summary
In 1971, Mister Salgado and Triton settle into their solitary life in England. Though Mister Salgado is initially offered a position at a research institute, he is soon let go, as England is "another country running out of money" and thus unable to support his academic ventures.
After years of traveling through England, Triton and Mister Salgado settle in Earl's Court. Triton reads every book in Mister Salgado's collection, silently guided by Mister Salgado, and takes classes. Mister Salgado regrets that he did not "turn the whole bay into a sanctuary," which would have included a gourmet seafood restaurant run by Triton.
Mister Salgado pays for Triton's first restaurant, which Triton spends time and effort building and decorating. Then, in 1983, Triton and Mister Salgado watch constant news coverage of violent uprisings in Colombo. From Tippy, Mister Salgado and Triton learn that Nili entered a "sanitorium" after an angry mob burned down her guesthouse, which she had been using to hide Tamil families. Mister Salgado decides to return to Sri Lanka.
Mister Salgado gives Triton the keys to his house. Truly alone for the first time, Triton finally depends on himself and finds his voice. He maintains and then grows his restaurant.
Analysis
Triton describes the Sri Lankan ocean with lyrical, nostalgic imagery. By comparison, Triton describes the Welsh ocean using grim, desolate imagery, such as shores full of "blue nylon rope and dead sea urchins" and "petrochemicals [that] stained the air in mauve and pink." This contrast in descriptive imagery creates a nostalgic tone and a sense of loss as Triton romanticizes his life in Sri Lanka.
"Strandline" explores the idea of memory through discussions of history. Mister Salgado tries to distance himself from his failings, arguing that "we are only what we remember, nothing more." Mister Salgado tries to forget his failed relationship but returns to Nili after Tippy forces him to remember her.
The final chapter also explores the theme of motion. On a physical level, Triton reflects on how the ocean, constantly in flux, connects the entire world. He asks Mister Salgado if the Welsh Sea is "the same sea here as back home," unable to believe the ocean can appear so different across the world and hoping to make a connection with his home so far away. Triton also contemplates motion as it relates to human beings, believing that "human history is always a story of somebody's diaspora," meaning conflict creates constant motion.
The final chapter ties up the theme of codependence and identity. In England, Triton and Mister Salgado's relationship evolves. Moving beyond the master-servant dynamic, Mister Salgado teaches Triton to drive, gives him books to read, and pays for Triton's first restaurant. However, it is not until Mister Salgado leaves that Triton finally finds his voice. He feels liberated only when he can live "without a past, without a name, without Rajan Salgado by my side" and truly discover his identity.
