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
Despite the fact that William emerges into the world without a “halo” or a “glow,” Edward adores him and is overcome with joy as he visualizes William’s future, with all its potential. Despite this, Edward grows tired of the sleepless nights, the smells, the noise. He even grows tired of Sandra, and he misses his “freedom” and “the old life.”
William starts to understand that Edward feels deep love for William (indicated in his expectation of William emerging with a “halo” or “glow”). William also starts to acknowledge that Edward’s roaming, adventurous nature is an inherent part of who he is, even when it gets in the way of his responsibilities.
Themes
In William’s first weeks, Edward seems deeper and more thoughtful. He writes down a list of “virtues” he wants to pass on to William and lists them on a paper bag: “perseverance, ambition, personality, optimism, strength, intelligence,” and “imagination,” resolving to teach by example, which he does on weekends, because he travels relentlessly for work. Of course, there are other jobs that don’t involve so much travel, but William knows that they don’t “suit” Edward, who becomes “a little nauseated” when he has to live a in a repetitive routine, despite how much he loves Sandra and William.
This passage reveals the point of Edward’s embellished stories (or myths). Each of the virtues that Edward writes down are characterized in the stories, as these are the values that the legendary heroic version of Edward displays while facing challenges and embracing life with gusto. William is starting to understand how difficult it is for Edward to stay put, and how much Edward struggles when he tries to.
Themes
William grows quickly over the years, and Sandra evolves too. Edward feels like a stranger to William when he comes home. Before this time, however, Edward does all the things “a father was supposed to do,” like playing catch, teaching William to ride a bike, taking him on picnics, and inspiring William with the promise of a bright, glittering future.
As William remembers his father’s absences (which have tormented him for most of his life), he also remembers how loving and present Edward has also been at times. William is starting to accept that Edward is not a perfect man—but he clearly loves and cherishes his time with William nonetheless.
Themes
