Big Fish Symbol Analysis

The titular big fish symbolizes the idea of constantly growing as a person and striving to meet bigger and better goals, just as fish grow as large as the pond they’re in. As narrator William Bloom tells the story of his father Edward Bloom’s life, he stresses that Edward is an adventurous man who sees himself as a “big fish.” Edward always wants to grow in his life, so he’s a big fish who perpetually seeks an ever-bigger “pond”—or new life experiences—so that he can grow larger. Edward isn’t satisfied with being a big fish in a small pond, meaning the greatest person in a small environment. Rather, Edward seeks to grow as big as possible, no matter what dangers he faces in new waters. For instance, unlike the people stuck in the place that had no name, who allow their fear of Dog—a sort of gatekeeper to the rest of the world—to keep them locked in one place, Edward confidently confronts Dog and escapes the stagnation and small life that the place that had no name represents. Fittingly, as Edward runs from the place, he ends up at a sprawling lake, hinting at his desire to be a big fish and live an abundant life. On his deathbed, Edward himself even says, “I wanted to be a great man […] I thought it was my destiny. A big fish in a big pond—that’s what I wanted.” The big fish, thus symbolizes Edward’s desire for profound personal growth through the vehicle of adventure, travels, new environments, and new challenges.