What are the motifs in The Story of Lucy Gault by William Trevor?

Failure to communicate is a recurring idea in the story. Throughout the book, time and time again, opportunities to right the situation are missed as people fail to communicate and share what they need to share. This is not done out of guile or intention to mislead. On the contrary, it is often done out of love or kindness. The consequences are the same, however. Ironically, the only one who had the courage to communicate what he needed to was Horahan, the madman. Because he did, however, he was rewarded years later with the friendship of Lucy. If he had not visited Lahardane when Everand came back, Lucy would not have known to find him later.