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Chapter 15
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Blueback, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Nature, Belonging, and Conservation
Family and Love
Greed and Environmental Destruction
The Ocean and Life’s Mysteries
Time, Change, and Continuity
Summary
Analysis
Abel is happy living in Longboat Bay. The bay itself thrives as a safe haven for sea creatures, who live and grow in abundance. Abel and Stella work as scientists again. However, they still don’t learn “the secret of the sea.” Abel believes that his mother, his father, and Mad Macka probably know “all the secrets by now.” He believes his own time will come, too. But, for now, Abel is willing to “let the sea be itself.”
The flourishing bay demonstrates that even when nature is threatened by human greed, it finds a way to regrow and sustain new life. This hopeful concept suggests that life always carries on. Meanwhile, Abel accepts that he won’t be able to figure out the mysteries of the sea or the mysteries of life and death within his lifetime. Now, he’s at peace with not knowing all the answers, and he’s happy to simply enjoy the wonders of the sea and life in general.
Themes
When little Dora Jackson turns three years old, Abel and Stella take her diving near Robbers Head. At first, Dora’s eyes widen in fear when she sees a huge blue fish emerge from the shadows. But Blueback simply rests “against the child, quivering with life.”
The story concludes in the same way it began. Just as 10-year-old Abel discovered Blueback while diving with his mother, now little Dora meets Blueback for the first time with her parents. This full-circle ending beautifully illustrates the cyclical nature of life. Also, by introducing Blueback to his daughter, Abel cements Blueback’s status as a beloved member of his family. The blue groper fish isn’t just Abel’s best friend anymore. Now, he’s a companion to Stella and little Dora, too. Gentle, affectionate, and full of life, Blueback represents the beauty and vitality of Longboat Bay.
Themes
