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 says “it happens like this.” The ancient Dr. Bennett comes out of the guest room and bursts into violent sobs, admitting helplessly that things don’t look good. Sandra looks at William with a look that says she’s “ready” and goes in, as Dr. Bennet sinks dejected into a chair, as if unable to fathom the great Edward Bloom—the “god of laughter,” or a demi-god who’s descended to make the world a place where people laugh more—isn’t going to live forever. William reflects that Edward’s even laughing now, in the face of death. Sandra comes out crying tears of frustration—both at being left behind without Edward and because right now he’s being “incorrigible.”
William repeats the phrase “it happens like this,” showing that he is revisiting his father’s death for a third time and describing it slightly differently, but in a truthful way nonetheless. The descriptions of Edward as the “god of laughter” emphasize how important and valuable jokes and laughter are to Edward, and hint that William is working through how to accept this about Edward. Unlike William, who has to work up to accepting Edward’s humor, Sandra already accepts this about Edward, and therefore has no regrets about their bond, except for being left alone without Edward.
Themes
William walks in, knowing that it would take a miracle from “Zeus himself” for Edward to escape his fate today. Edward’s body is withered by lesions and scaly skin. He’s become “something else altogether.” William wonders what bothered Dr. Bennett so much, and Edward confides in William that it’s probably his jokes, as he “proudly” recites a “litany” of terrible “doctor, doctor” jokes. William says Dr. Bennett probably wants Edward to be straight with him. Edward’s face falls as he says there’s cure for him now, before mentioning that this reminds him of the “Great Plague of ‘33” before recounting a tale about someone dying and getting rigor mortis mid-breakfast, “spoon lifted halfway to his mouth.”
William’s reference to Zeus is another reference to Ancient Greek mythology. The description of Edward’s skin as “scaly” shows that William is starting to mythologize his father (as he is working up to the conclusion of the story, when he transforms his father’s death into a myth where his father transforms into a fish). William’s quip about Dr. Bennett expose William’s preference for direct conversation rather than jokes. Edward, however, remains firm that he will joke his way through everything—even death.
Themes
William interrupts to say “no more stories” or “stupid jokes,” imploring Edward to talk to him “man to man, father to son.” Edward begins a story about his dad but William cuts him off, saying he doesn’t “believe a word.” Wearily, Edward explains that “you’re not necessarily supposed to believe it” so much as “believe in it,” as if it’s a “metaphor,” before cracking a terrible pun. William says that Edward’s jokes keep William “at arm’s length,” as if Edward’s “scared of getting close” to William. Edward looks thoughtful and begins talking about his drunk father before delivering, yet again, a punchline. William, grows irate and demands to Edward tell him something about Ashland, but Edward just cracks more puns.
William thinks Edward uses his stories to create distance between them and to avoid meaningful serious conversation. Here, however, Edward explains that the whole point of these stories is what they mean or symbolize, rather than what they explicitly say on the surface. Edward uses the stories to teach William values and life advice in a memorable way that will stick with him long after Edward his gone. Thus, Edward’s claim that William should “believe in it” (in its message or meaning) rather than “believe it.”
Themes
William reflects to himself that Edward’s “just being him, something he can’t not be,” which is a layer of “facades” masking a “dark place, his life” that neither of them understands. Edward says that he has a “power” and can see death before it comes—William, in spite of himself, is “filled with wonder” and Edward knows it. Edward continues, describing a series of dreams in which he accurately predicts people’s deaths. Finally, Edward begins to describe predicting his father’s death before delivering his punchline about the milkman dropping dead. Infuriated, William gets up and slams the door behind him, as Edward implores William to give him a break.
In this third description of Edward’s death, William is starting to realize that Edward’s “facades” (frustrating as they are) simply are who Edward is: Edward can ‘t be any other way. William begins to realize that he needs to accept his father as he is, rather than try to change him, if he wants to feel the connection and love that he craves. As William starts to give in to this notion, he becomes “filled with wonder,” indicating that Edward’s stories and jokes really do fascinate William and are a big part of why William loves Edward, even he can’t fully accept this fact yet.
Themes
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