Themes and Analysis

“The Woman in Cabin 10” published in 2016, is Ware’s second book that became a bestseller. Examining the themes of mental health and trauma, the author illustrates the struggles of the protagonist and narrator.

One of the most prominent themes in the novel is isolation. Lo Blacklock feels claustrophobic on the extravagant ship. By solving the crime, Lo regains her psychological balance and confidence.

Themes

Through well-crafted suspense ladened with paranoia, mental illness, and isolation, Ware challenges perceptions of truth and trust.

Anxiety and Terror

The theme of terror in “The Woman in Cabin 10” portrays the mental, emotional, and physical struggles of Lo Blacklock. The book begins with Lo Blacklock feeling something was out of place in her apartment. When she comes face-to-face with an intruder, she realizes she is right. Although Lo already deals with anxiety, the robbery intensifies her mental distress.

Throughout the novel, the main character is a frequent victim of apprehension. She unknowingly attacks her boyfriend when he returns home unexpectedly. Onboard, she feels claustrophobic. She constantly reminds herself she is safe. This comfort quickly dies when she witnesses a murder and begins to probe into the identity of the victim.

Psychological Trauma

The break-in not only terrifies Lo but also leads her to witness the disposal of a murdered body, and she becomes obsessed with discovering the truth. Using the character of Lo Blacklock, the author illustrates how psychological trauma can stir compassion and empathy. Even when locked up, Lo believes Carrie is a victim of manipulation.

Lo’s misery leads to insecurity and self-doubt as she struggles to connect with others on board. When the topic shifts to the burglary, she reluctantly talks about it. From time to time, Lo ridicules her mental stability.

Ware depicts the commonality of anxiety using the protagonist. Lo does not understand her depression since she had a happy childhood. She is an unreliable witness to Nilsson. He states that antidepressants and alcohol do not mix well, suggesting that Lo may have made up the existence of the woman in cabin 10.

Using empathy towards Carrie, Ware demonstrates the uniting force of vulnerability and trauma. A friendship is formed between Lo and Carrie, leading to their emotional and physical freedom.

Isolation and Powerlessness

The Aurora represents actual confinement. On it, Lo experiences feelings of loneliness and claustrophobia. To intensify these feelings, Ware adds the failure of the mobile network. Lo experiences detachment from the rest of the world, escalating her psychological turmoil.

Trapped in an empty room, she experiences isolation again. She struggles to keep her sanity by holding on to the hope that someone on the ship will notice her absence. Carrie is also an isolated character in the book. Coerced into disguising as Anne Bullmer, she barely relates with the other passengers. She speaks little words and mostly stays out of reach.

In the story of “The Woman in Cabin 10,“ the theme of isolation presents a sense of mystery and dread for the protagonist. Lo Blacklock feels trapped on the ship She turns to drinking to ease her anxiety and emotional turmoil.

Ware depicts the theme of powerlessness at the beginning of the novel. Lo is robbed and cannot bring the thief to justice. Unable to guarantee her safety, she researches the rate of recurrent robberies. On the Aurora, she witnesses a murder and has a hard time proving it. Imprisoned on the ship, Lo screams for help to no avail. Unable to save herself, she asks Carrie for her antidepressant pills.

Illusion versus Truth

The central theme in “The Woman in Cabin 10” is the contrast between perception and reality.

Ruth Ware describes the contrast between illusion and truth using the charming and friendly character of Lord Bullmer. Lo is impressed when they have a personal encounter as Bullmer listens to her narrate what she saw and heard, and while Lo thinks it is support for her, he is planning her death. The plot exposes Richard as a scheming, manipulative host, husband, and lover.

Carrie and Anne also portray the contrast between perception and the truth. Lo meets Carrie once and fears she died on board. She meets Anne at different times and cannot stare at her for long, not to appear rude. Lo continues to investigate until the woman from cabin 10 reappears. Trapped and alone, Lo discovers that Anne is the actual victim of Bullmer and Carrie. Easily, Carrie uses an excellent makeover to fool the guests on the Aurora.

Ware also integrates social media posts and emails at the end of each chapter to make the reader believe the protagonist underwent worse than she did. The twists employed by Ware challenge perspectives on events in the novel.

Power and Affluence

Inside the Aurora, Lo is stunned by the display of affluence. As the plot progresses, she understands the potentially dangerous weapon that power can be.

While the guests are well treated, the staff occupy the less attractive part of the ship. When Lo talks about meeting with the police, one of the staff warns against digging deep and having them lose their means of livelihood.

Bullmer persuades Carrie, a less wealthy woman, to disguise herself as his dead wife so he can claim her inheritance. After Lo escapes from the ship, the manager of the hotel where she stays calls Richard instead of the police to inform him of her whereabouts.

In “The Woman in Cabin 10,” the author describes how wealth and fame control journalism. She proves that power can be a tool to exploit and harm those who lack it.

Key Moments

• Lo Blacklock experiences a burglary in her apartment in London. This intensifies her anxiety and insomnia.
• Lo plans to cover the maiden voyage of a luxury cruise ship, Aurora Borealis. She witnesses the murder on board.
• Lo tries to contact her mom, best friend, and Judah to no avail. The lack of communication eventually becomes detrimental to Lo’s investigation.
• Lo borrows a mascara from a young woman in cabin 10. The mascara becomes Lo’s evidence of Carrie’s existence.
• Lo attends the first dinner and meets the rest of the passengers, including Lord Buuller and his wife, Anne. She does not see the woman from cabin 10.
• In her cabin, Lo awakes to the sound of a scream and a splash from the adjacent cabin. Lo is afraid Carrie has been murdered.
• Seeing a blood trail on the veranda, she calls security, but the evidence is gone when Nilsson arrives.
• Lo searches for the woman who stayed in the next cabin among the staff, but she is not there.
• The tube of mascara is missing from Lo’s cabin. Lo realizes someone is trying desperately to conceal the truth.
• Lo tells Ben about the woman she met in cabin 10, and he suggests she talk to Richard Bullmer.
• Lo gets warned about digging into the murder. The warning strengthens Lo’s resolve to discover the truth.
• Lo sees a photograph of the missing woman in Cole’s array of pictures. She decides to keep it a secret.
• As Lo tells Richard about all she has seen and heard on the ship, Cole breaks a champagne glass, and his camera falls into the Jacuzzi. Lo is forced to believe the murderer is close by.
• Richard listens to Lo explain her encounter with the woman in cabin 10. Lo marvels at how thorough his questions are. Inspired, she does not count him as a suspect.
• Lo plans to go to the police station the next day. The murderer discovers this and knows he must act fast.
• Lo’s phone gets stolen.
• The woman from cabin 10 lures Lo through the staff door and knocks her unconscious. This prevents Lo from reporting to the police.
• Lo wakes up trapped in a room and realizes the woman in cabin 10 has been pretending to be Anne Bullmer.
• Lo confronts the captor about her deceit, and they argue.
• The captor tells Lo her name and her relationship with Richard Bullmer. Trust and emotional connection is built between the women.
• Carrie helps Lo escape from the ship. This had to be done to save her life.
• Lo decides to quit working at Velocity and move with Judah. The time spent as a captive affects Lo’s decisions.
• Lord Bullmer and Anne’s bodies are identified.
• Lo receives money from an unidentified Swiss bank account. This proves Carrie’s survival and gratitude.

Style, Tone, and Figurative Language

“The Woman in Cabin 10” conveys a strained and sometimes claustrophobic tone. Ware creates a sense of terror and mystery by putting the protagonist in a confined space. Lo’s thoughts are exposed as she narrates from her point of view.

The writing style features plot twists and a psychologically distressed narrator. It also integrates elements of technology and social media.

The figurative language creates a sharp contrast between the glamorous interior of the luxury ship and the dark, dirty secrets it harbors.

First-Person Perspective

Using first-person perspective, the author presents direct access to Lo’s emotions, opinions, and thoughts. This style of narration creates a bond between the reader and the character. By examining Lo’s psychological state, the reader becomes aware of her paranoia, anxiety, and determination to expose the murderer on the yacht. 

Words like “My heart was hammering, and I couldn’t wait for Ben to get his hand off the door and leave. I needed to get my head together—needed to work this out.” suggests the distrust of an ex-lover. Lo also believes she should solve the mystery behind Carrie’s disappearance alone.

Although this style encourages understanding, it limits the information available to the reader to what the character thinks or knows. Since Lo is mentally unstable, she may create illusions that the reader has to accept as reality.

Suspense

The tone of “The Woman in Cabin 10” is primarily tense and suspenseful. Slowly, Ware presents an atmosphere filled with danger and uncertainty. The confined setting of the yacht in the North Sea adds to the claustrophobic feel. The mascara theft and threat that Lo receives keep her on edge as she tries to identify the murderer before she gets attacked. 

After searching everywhere possible, Lo eventually sees a photo of the woman from cabin 10, proving she did not make her existence up. “She had her face turned half away from the camera and her dark hair was falling out of its clip, across her cheek. But I was almost certain—almost completely certain—that she was the woman in cabin 10.”

Although Lo decides to keep the information to herself, it becomes useless when the picture is lost. The tone of suspense is maintained throughout the book as Ware gradually reveals clues, sustaining engagement and anticipation.

Flashbacks

The author uses flashbacks to provide a background of the character and her past experiences, including the recent traumatic robbery at her apartment. 

As the plot builds, she remembers when her depression had begun. “I had a great childhood, loving parents, the whole package. I wasn’t beaten, abused, or expected to get anything but As. I had nothing but love and support, but that wasn’t enough somehow.” Noting that she had a life void of molestation or hardship, Lo cannot wrap her head around the reason she became depressed. She also recounts how she tried cognitive behavioral therapy, counseling, and psychotherapy, but none of them helped in the way antidepressants did. 

With the use of flashbacks, the gradual degeneration of Lo’s mental health to its current state comes to light. They explain her intense sense of vulnerability and paranoia, which influence her actions and perceptions throughout the story.

Vivid Descriptions

“The Woman in Cabin 10” employs detailed descriptions that improve the quality of the story. Ware showcases the thoughts and struggles of Lo Blacklock realistically. Her attention to detail gives the characters and setting more life as she brilliantly describes the interiors of the Aurora Borealis and the stormy expanse of the North Sea.

“It was the graphic illustration of the gap between the haves and have-nots that made me feel uncomfortable, a modern upstairs-downstairs in action.” Lo Blacklock is amazed by the sharp contrast between the part of the yacht occupied by the guests and the part occupied by the workers. The descriptions used in “The Woman in Cabin 10” not only set the scene but also contribute to the mood and tone of the novel. 

Red Herrings

Skillfully, Ware features red herrings throughout “The Woman in Cabin 10” to misguide characters and readers from the real culprit of the crime. By creating false leads, the author prolongs mystery and uncertainty. Lo’s ex-lover and colleague, Ben Howard, is used as a red herring. At first, he tries to sabotage the investigation by telling Nilsson about the antidepressants Lo uses.

Quotes like “The flashing memory of the door slamming into my cheek and the man in my flat—about Ben’s height, with the same liquid dark eyes—was so vivid that my heart had begun thumping and my chest felt tight, and for a long moment I couldn’t find the words to reply.“ makes the reader wonder if Ben was the burglar at Lo’s house. Ben also tells lies, making him a plausible suspect. 

Another red herring occurs when Lo reports about the missing woman in cabin 10, and the crew members insist the cabin was unoccupied all the while. This contradiction creates a central puzzle that pushes the plot forward. Lo’s confidence in her observation collides with the denial from the crew, confusing the reader.

In “The Woman in Cabin 10,” Lo meets Anne Bullmer on different occasions and notes her sad, ailing ambiance. In the end, however, the reader discovers Anne got killed on the first night of the trip, and Carrie was impersonating her. 

Key Symbols

The symbols in “The Woman in Cabin 10” are strong motifs that reflect the protagonist’s internal struggles and the novel’s themes of loneliness and identity.

Cabin 10

This symbol represents isolation and mystery. The cabin plays a key role in the conflict of “The Woman in Cabin 10.” It is where Lo meets Carrie for the first time and where she hears a body thrown overboard. As she tries to prove the crime, she meets with resistance from other members of the yacht.

The reliability of her story gets questioned because of her psychological distress.  Although Lo feels alone, she challenges herself to discern reality from illusion. At the end of the book, Lo realizes Carrie had not expected her to knock on the cabin door. She was waiting for Richard Bullmer when Lo came to lend her mascara. 

The Yacht

The Aurora Borealis symbolizes exclusivity and wealth combined with entrapment. When Lo goes to the staff quarters to inquire about the missing woman, the poor state of things amazes her. That point describes the social dynamics between the rich and the poor.

The poor Wi-Fi connection cuts Lo from the rest of the world, creating a sense of confinement. This confinement worsens when she is locked in an empty room, unknown to the other members on board. Lo navigates through layers of deception on the yacht.

The Mascara

The mascara symbolizes evidence of Carrie’s existence. Representing identity, Lo holds on to it to prove she is not hallucinating. She even contemplates the idea of getting the mascara DNA tested.

Unfortunately, that plan does not materialize because the mascara gets stolen from her cabin. The mascara also promotes deception because things do not appear as they seem beneath the surface. While Lo tries to find the person who murders Carrie, she is on the yacht, pretending to be Anne Bullmer.

The Ocean

The ocean is a metaphor referring to the vast, untamed forces that shape the storyline. It is an escape route from death when Lo Blacklock discovers the truth. After she falls in, she swims to safety. 

Northern Lights

In “The Woman in Cabin 10,” The Aurora Borealis aims to lead the guests through the Norwegian fjords, offering a breathtaking view of the Nothern Lights.

In the end, Lo sees the eerie green and gold streaks of the northern lights and laughs at the irony as Bullmer describes the glow as something everyone should encounter before they die. The Northern Lights is a symbol of life.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants symbolize Lo’s battle with her mental health. It is a flaw in her individuality. The pills indicate her efforts to manage her anxiety and depression, which are central to understanding her reliability as a narrator and her interpretations of the events unfolding around her.

While Lo gives an account of the disappearance of the woman in cabin 10, Nilsson discards it because she takes antidepressants with alcohol. He also states that the recent burglary at her apartment may have heightened her delusions.