The Wish

Ocracoke is a small island in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of North Carolina. It is part of the Outer Banks, a large tourist destination during the summer. The island itself is only 8.6 square miles, with a population of 709 people as of 2023 (“Ocracoke, NC.” Census Reporter). Because it has no road leading to the mainland, relying on its ferry and boats for transport to the mainland, the island is largely isolated from the rest of the Outer Banks. Its residents survive off the tourist industry or from commercial fishing, as Bryce’s family does in The Wish.

Due to its size, location, and isolation, there is a duality to Ocracoke that Sparks highlights through Maggie’s experiences in The Wish. When she first arrives, she notes how quiet it is and how different it is than what she expected. She notes how “Ocracoke [is] nothing like [she’d] imagined. [She’d] been picturing pretty pastel cottages nestled in sand dunes, with tropical views of the ocean […]; a boardwalk complete with burger joints and ice cream shops and crowded with teens” (39). Instead, she finds a small, isolated community, which grows in the summer season but is still a smaller tourist destination than the rest of the Outer Banks. Her experiences in the novel reflect the realities of Ocracoke as described on their tourist website: “[E]xperience a beach vacation that’s different from anything on the mainland. On Ocracoke Island, you’ll find miles and miles of pristine, undeveloped—and, best of all, uncrowded—beaches for you to enjoy” (“Visit Ocracoke NC”). For these reasons, Maggie is initially disappointed by Ocracoke, falling into a depressive state and spending time alone in her room in isolation.

The novel’s setting of Ocracoke becomes a vital part of Maggie’s life and its characteristics reflect her character arc throughout the story. Upon her arrival, Maggie is overwhelmed by feelings of dislocation and isolation. Her pregnancy and her subsequent removal from Seattle leave her in a depressive state, as she misses her high school, friends, family, and technology. She spends much of her first few days in her room, ignoring her aunt and her schoolwork, instead lying in bed alone. Sparks reflects these feelings in Maggie’s initial perception of Ocracoke. The village itself is scarcely populated, isolated, and designed in the off-season to only meet the needs of its few residents.

However, as Maggie remains in Ocracoke, she begins to value it’s untouched beauty and peace—just as she learns to value things in her life outside of the people and objects she initially misses from her life in Seattle. Maggie builds strong personal relationships with Bryce, his family, Aunt Linda, and Gwen, as they are kind and supportive during this time in her life. She also becomes interested in photography, learning to see the beauty and the value of a small village like Ocracoke through the lens of a camera. As she gets to know and love Ocracoke beyond her initial impression, she also begin to embrace the friendship, family, and art around her. The setting of the novel facilitates Maggie’s growth and development, as it provides her with the space to learn about who she is and what she values. Ironically, Maggie is sent to this isolated location to begin to recognize the importance of human connection.