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Part 1: The Day He Was Born
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 his father, Edward, has a way with animals as a boy. Raccoons eat out of Edward’s hands, birds settle on his shoulders, and cows, horses, and bears follow him around and nuzzle him. A chicken even lays an egg in his lap once. Nobody has seen anything like this before.
William continues to infuse mythical elements into his description of Edward, who is depicted here as a sort of magical man who has a unique power over animals. As the story unfolds, many animals will metaphorically represent fears that Edward has to tame, so his power over animals alludes to his burgeoning courage.
Themes
