To-morrow

"To-morrow" by Joseph Conrad is a story that looks at the subjects of dreaming, being tricked, and what it means to be human, using the tale of Captain Hagberd, a man getting old and a bit strange, who strongly thinks his son, who he lost a long time ago, will be back home "to-morrow." The story happens in a small town by the sea where Hagberd is really focused on waiting for his son. This shows us more about people's connections and what is real versus what is not. Captain Hagberd makes a life in Colebrook after looking everywhere for his son, Harry, who went missing a while ago. He is tricked into thinking his son will come back, and this shows in how he lives every day. He gets ready for his son to come back with great excitement, telling his dreams to a local girl named Bessie Carvil. She likes his hopeful attitude, even though she feels it is a bit crazy. Bessie deals with wanting a life that is better than her boring one and escaping her mean father, while Harry comes back in a way that is not exciting and makes him seem unlikeable, ruining Hagberd's dreams. The dreams of the characters and the tough facts they face are mixed together, giving a sad message about how hope can trick you and how upsetting letdowns can be.