Swept from the Sea

Yanko Góral's emigrant ship sinks on its voyage to the United States in 1888, washing him ashore on the Cornwall coast. The bodies of his fellow passengers wash ashore and are buried in a mass grave, a grim welcome to a stranger in a foreign land. This brutal event sets the tone for his struggle to belong in a community that fears him.

Amy Foster tends to the exhausted stranger, washing and feeding him and offering quiet kindness. Her compassion stands in sharp contrast to the fear and indifference of the townspeople and Amy's own family. Yanko begins to experience a spark of humanity he feared he had lost.

The next morning, Yanko is seized by the townspeople and forced into slave labor. He endures harsh treatment as a stranger without papers, trying to survive in a harsh new economy. This brutal start tests his resilience and frames his later longing for dignity.

Months later, Dr. Kennedy and Mr. Swaffer play chess when Yanko approaches and reveals brilliant moves, proving he is more than a simple immigrant. Kennedy grows to respect the mysterious Ukrainian, and Swaffer decides to take him in and pay him for his labor. A new bond begins to form between Yanko and the family.

Yanko learns English and settles into normal working hours as the Swaffers treat him with fairness. He acquires a fresh suit with his wages, gaining the courage to visit Amy and ask her to walk out with him. This marks a turning point from servitude toward a hopeful partnership.

Dr. Kennedy shares that Miss Swaffer had a horse-riding accident and that he too has suffered losses from typhus long ago. Their conversations reveal a paternal concern, and Yanko's trust grows as he learns about the doctor and the world beyond labor. The exchange deepens the bond between Yanko and the Swaffer family while he continues to learn English and chess.

With money saved, Yanko buys a new suit and gathers the nerve to approach Amy and invite her to walk with him. He begins to imagine a life with her, though social disapproval remains a constant shadow. The pair's quiet affection grows despite the town's gaze.

Mr. Swaffer and Amy's parents urge her to stay away, and the church doors feel hostile as Yanko enters. He cannot understand why the community treats him as an outsider, while Amy's loyalty remains steadfast. The social pressure tests their resolve to be together.

Amy takes Yanko to the obelisk memorial, where he learns what happened to his fellow passengers. The revelation grounds his longing for home and clarifies why he feels so alienated from the town. It also sharpens his resolve to build a life with Amy despite prejudice.

To escape the town's hatred, Amy leads Yanko to her hidden cave filled with treasures she has found along the shore. They dance and embrace in the cave, beginning a sanctuary for their love. The cave becomes a symbol of their hidden, hopeful union.

While walking in town, Yanko is attacked by Amy's father and his cronies and is nearly drowned. Amy risks herself to save him, and Dr. Kennedy condemns the brutality. The incident strengthens their resolve to remain together despite intimidation.

A fire devastates Amy's cave, and Miss Swaffer arranges for a cottage to be given to Amy and Yanko. They marry in church and soon have a son delivered by the doctor. The couple begins a family, finding stability in their new home while facing ongoing social stigma.

That year, Yanko falls ill with a fever, and Dr. Kennedy returns to treat him, giving Amy medicine to administer. As the doctor continues his rounds, Yanko's condition worsens, testing the couple's endurance and devotion in seclusion from the town.

Yanko dies in Amy's arms, murmuring that he would not change a thing because they were 'the lucky ones.' Years later, Dr. Kennedy apologizes for wronging her and affirms that Yanko came across the world to love and be loved by Amy Foster. The story closes on the enduring power of their love against the town's prejudice.