Big Fish

Big Fish

by Daniel Wallace
Willie is an ageing man who is trapped in the place that had no name. He shows Edward around and explains that the place is where people who are too afraid to seek their dreams linger. These people are perpetually “getting used to things” instead of pursuing their ambitions and living the lives that they want.

Willie Quotes in Big Fish

The Big Fish quotes below are all either spoken by Willie or refer to Willie . For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Ambition, Courage, and Personal Fulfilment Theme Icon
).

Part 1: The Day He Left Ashland Quotes

“That’s what this place is all about, Edward. Getting used to things […] This rain, this dampness—it’s a kind of residue. The residue of a dream. Of lots of dreams, actually.”

Related Characters: Willie (speaker), Edward Bloom (William’s Father), Dog, William Bloom
Related Symbols: The Place That Had No Name
Page Number: 42
Explanation and Analysis:

“I—I wouldn’t trust that dog […] I just wouldn’t take the chance, son. He didn’t get you before, but you never know about next time. S’unpredictable. So sit tight.”

Related Characters: Man Even Older Than Willie (speaker), Willie , Dog, Edward Bloom (William’s Father), William Bloom
Related Symbols: The Place That Had No Name
Page Number: 47
Explanation and Analysis:
Get the entire Big Fish LitChart as a printable PDF.
Big Fish PDF

Willie Character Timeline in Big Fish

The timeline below shows where the character Willie appears in Big Fish. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Part 1: The Day He Left Ashland
Ambition, Courage, and Personal Fulfilment Theme Icon
Edward meets a shriveled old man named Willie. Edward says he’s just passing through, but Willie takes Edward’s arm and shows him around... (full context)
Ambition, Courage, and Personal Fulfilment Theme Icon
Truth, Myth, and Immortality Theme Icon
Edward spots a generic-looking dog emerging from the fog. Willie smiles, saying the dog has no name so they call him “Dog.” Dog’s a gatekeeper... (full context)
Ambition, Courage, and Personal Fulfilment Theme Icon
Truth, Myth, and Immortality Theme Icon
Edward and Willie enter the Good Food Cafe, a gray, lifeless place. The pallid diners smile, eyeing Edward... (full context)
Ambition, Courage, and Personal Fulfilment Theme Icon
Truth, Myth, and Immortality Theme Icon
A man even older than Willie warns Edward not to face Dog again, saying he’s unpredictable and it’s better for Edward... (full context)