Edward Bloom Quotes

Throughout Daniel Wallace’s novel, Big Fish, Edward Bloom encompasses the meaning of the title. He is immortalized through the many tall tales he has shared with his son, Will. The stories are a depiction of a man who is larger than life, someone who is too big for a small town. Edwards passion for being remembered and loved followed him to his deathbed, where he passed on his stories to his son. The term “Big Fish” is used to reference the magnificence of Edwards life, and is an embodiment of the larger than life stories that he passes down to Will. Edward was raised in Ashland, a small town filled with average people. From the day he was born, Edward proved he was anything but ordinary, he was a big fish in a small pond. A citizen from Ashland said “-eventually he knew more than anybody, even Mr. Pinker, the librarian. He was a big fish, even then” (12).

He created two stories to explain his father's absence, during his childhood, and death. Will created the town of Specter to comprehend why his father abandoned him. Will says “when he [Edward] leaves on business this is where he goes, this is still where he goes every time” (163). Despite being hurt, Will continued to love him. When his father died, Will told one final story in his memory. He explained that his father wasn’t dead, he was a big fish in a big pond. Edwards whole life was spent preparing for this transformation, Will said “All this time, my father was becoming a fish” (180). “He [Edward] was just changing, transforming himself into something new and different to carry his life forward in” (180). Will concluded his story with, “I saw him dart this way and that, a silvery, brilliant, shining life, and disappear into the darkness of the deep water where the big fish go, and I haven't seen him since-though others have” (180). This term “big fish” was used figuratively throughout the novel, Will's ending story made it