Stella Maris

Stella Maris serves as both the name of the psychiatric facility to which Alicia willingly commits herself in 1972 and a profound symbol with roots in religious and spiritual mythology. In the Judeo-Christian tradition, Stella Maris is a reference to Mary, the mother of Jesus, who for centuries was symbolically depicted as the guiding star of the sea, offering direction and solace to seafarers during times of crisis and turmoil. In McCarthy’s novel, after enduring a prolonged period of drifting and teetering on the edge of mental and physical self-destruction, Alicia seeks shelter from the storm in Stella Maris, particularly in the aftermath of her recent loss—her beloved brother, the true love of her life. The recurring motif of the sea and water in the narrative carries profound significance as Alicia entertains fantasies of drowning in the ocean, longing to vanish without a trace. The symbolism intertwines with her journey toward psychological healing within the tumultuous depths of her own psyche, which unfortunately prove hopeless as her own nihilistic worldview prevents her from finding happiness or moving forward in life.