Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Big Fish, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Ambition, Courage, and Personal Fulfilment
Truth, Myth, and Immortality
Love, Flaws, and Acceptance
The Redemptive Power of Laughter
Summary
Analysis
William explains that Edward Bloom saved his life twice (that he knows of). As a child, William is fascinated by a ditch full of stones even though Edward repeatedly warns him to stay out of the ditch. One day, William is sitting in the ditch, transfixed by the stones he’s pocketing when a rush of water comes in and nearly carries him away. Suddenly, Edward’s there, pulling William out of the ditch as a river emerges, as if from nowhere.
In remembering the times Edward saved William’s life, William starts to connect with Edward’s fiercely protective nature. Edward clearly watches over William and cares for him deeply, which makes William start to question his internal assessment of Edward as an absent, disinterested father.
Themes
The second time Edward saves William, they’ve just moved to a new house on Mayfair Drive. William is swinging on the old swing set in the garden, trying to see how high he can go, not knowing the previous owner has unscrewed the set to pack it up. William is swinging higher and higher and suddenly the swing set tips over, sending William flying towards the fence that he’ll surely be impaled on. Suddenly, Edward is around William, embracing him “like a cloak.” It’s as if he plucked William from Heaven and put him safely back on Earth.
William’s recollection of the second time his father saves his life reinforces the idea that Edward—despite his flaws—is a deeply loving and protective father who watches over William attentively and wants to protect him from harm. The description implies that Edward puts himself between William and the fence, showing his courageous tendency to put himself between harm and somebody vulnerable.
Themes
