Big Fish: Part 2: My Father’s Death: Take 2 Summary & Analysis

William says “it happens like this.” Dr. Bennett, the “older than old” family doctor comes out the guest room and says there’s nothing he can do. William and his mother have been expecting this. They sigh, with a mixture of sadness and relief. Edward’s been dying for so long that it seemed he might just have kept on “dying forever.” William’s mother suggests going in first, and agrees to call William if anything happens. They speak in unfinished phrases, skirting around the topic. She goes in, and comes out a few minutes later, crying. It’s William’s turn. 

The curtains are drawn and room is dim and gray, like an afternoon nap. Edward looks happy, sad, tired, and blessed—and sort of “curdled”—all at once. Edward drinks water shakily, dribbling a little and apologizing, with a pained look on his face. William reassures Edward that he’s been a trooper through his illness, feeling more like the father than the son. Edward cracks a joke about the guest room being ready for guests again soon. He moved there when he got sick so that it won’t be hard for William’s mother to face an empty bed after he dies. William wonders what you’re supposed to say in the last minutes that mark the boundary between someone’s life and death.

William reflects that he thought he’d spend today in the pool before because Edward likes the sound of splashing water. Slowly, Edward says “I’ll miss you,” and William responds in turn. William wants to ask if Edward believes in an afterlife, but he hesitates. Everyone in the family knows it’s impossible to talk to Edward about “important” things. Eventually, William manages to ask if Edward believes in Heaven “and God and all that stuff.” Edward deflects and cracks a bad joke about a case of mistaken identity between Jesus and Pinocchio at the gates of Heaven. William persists, desperate to have one meaningful conversation with Edward before he dies.

Edward shifts uncomfortably. He’s never felt comfortable facing the question. Some days he does believe in God, some days he’s more ambivalent. Right now, he thinks a joke is better—at least he'll make William laugh. William disagrees, saying a meaningful conversation is something he can carry with him. Edward quips that jokes are better than doubts. Edward grips William’s hand, saying, “I was a good dad.” William corrects Edward, saying “you are a good dad.” Edward’s eyelids flutter and William asks what Edward believes about God today, but Edward seems faraway. William frantically urges Edward for an answer. Edward opens his eyes, and William leans in. With a sense of urgency, Edward says, “Pinocchio?”