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Part 1: The Day He Left Ashland
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 describes Jasper “Buddy” Barron, Edward’s business partner at Bloom Inc. as a sharp dresser with a bright yellow tie, crisp navy suit, silk handkerchief, and shiny shoes. William recalls Buddy leaning back in his chair, smiling, and describing Edward emerging into the world at 17 with nothing but holes in his shoes, a few dollars, and his dreams. According to Buddy, Edward walks 30 miles and sleeps on a pile of straw by the roadside. Fate intervenes that night when two men beat Edward to a pulp and steal his money. Buddy fondly remembers Edward later wanting to thank those men for changing the course of his life.
William’s appeal to Edward’s business partner clues the reader in to the fact that that Edward’s risks eventually pay off, and he becomes successful in life. Before Edward finds success, however, he faces many challenges, as Buddy emphasizes. Edward’s desire to thank his accosters shows that he does not view bad experiences as failures, but opportunities for growth.
Themes
On that fateful night, however, Edward is anything but grateful. Nonetheless, after a good night’s sleep, Edward walks on, battered, but ready and willing for what Life and Fate will bring next. Edward approaches an old man on a rocking chair outside a general store (Ben Jimson) who’s alarmed at Edward’s bloody state. The old man’s family hurriedly gathers water and bandages but Edward refuses, not wanting to be indebted to them. Instead, Edward grabs a broom and starts sweeping the store despite having a broken leg and bleeding profusely as the family watches in awe. Then Edward realizes he’s bled all over the floor, so he starts scrubbing his blood off until he collapses.
Edward’s willingness to move forward to undauntedly embrace Life and Fate (capitalized like forces in Ancient Greek mythology) emphasizes his proactive, ambitious nature, as well as his personal resilience, because he doesn’t give up and turn around. Once again, an embellished version of the encounter between Edward and Ben Jimson shows how a bit of artistic license—like the detail about Edward sweeping the store while dragging a bleeding, broken leg—can transform an ordinary event into a memorable tale that fills the listener with wonder.
Themes
The family gather around Edward as if they’re in a renaissance painting. Suddenly, Edward opens his eyes and utters a single, urgent word: “Advertise.” William says Buddy always pauses here when he tells this story, letting the word ring out. Of course, Edward recovers and immediately makes himself useful. Edwards posts fliers bearing an ingenious slogan—“buy one get one free”—all over, and he makes Ben Jimson, the store’s owner, a rich man. Edward stays with Ben Jimson for a year, making his first savings. William recalls Buddy looking around the gilded office and taking everything in—including William—before concluding that Edward’s done rather well for a boy from Ashland, Alabama.
The image of Edward lying on his deathbed surrounded by weeping people before uttering the word “Advertise” shows how humor (which is very important to Edward) can also make stories memorable and add to their mythic quality. Although Edward needs a year to recover from his injuries, he uses that time to learn and apply practical sales skills and save money for college. This story, thus, emphasizes the power of resilience and optimism in the face of unanticipated setbacks.
Themes
