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Chapter 21
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Past the Shallows, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Brotherhood, Loyalty, and Hardship
Addiction and Abuse
Tragedy and Blame
Father Figures and Responsibility
The Duality of Nature
Summary
Analysis
Miles watches from a cliff as Joe surfs the dangerous, rocky waters of Southport Bluff and remembers seeing Joe get pummeled by the waves here in the past. Miles thinks to himself that he cannot surf in this difficult area because he is small, immature, and “nothing” compared to his older brother.
Miles is acutely aware of own insignificance relative to both nature’s supreme power and the competence of his older brother. He clearly looks up to Joe and envies his brother’s superior abilities, despite their close relationship.
Themes
Earlier that day, Joe had yelled at Miles, telling his younger brother that he was going to get stuck on Bruny Island working for Dad and taking care of Harry. Miles feels that he is “screaming on the inside” with frustration. He decides that he will surf after all and Joe cheers him on as he paddles into the ocean. Miles feels invincible as he surfs the main break of a steep wave, forgetting his troubles and resolving that it is time to break free and “make something of his own.”
Miles and Joe have a tight-knit brotherhood, but the dissolution of their family combined with Dad’s ongoing mistreatment strains even their close relationship, showing that brotherhood is not necessarily a cure-all. Once again, Miles turns to the ocean as a means of escape and is able to feel safe and clear-headed as he surfs, demonstrating how nature can be peaceful even at its most powerful.
Themes
After their surf session, Miles and Joe feel lighthearted and laugh as they get changed to return home. But once they are back in the van, Joe becomes serious and tells Miles that he is planning on leaving Bruny Island on his boat the next day to avoid the approaching swell. Miles is speechless as Joe asks him to tell Harry for him. Joe begins to cry, and Miles wonders why his older brother should be the one to feel emotional since he does not have to stay behind to live with Dad, work on the boat, and take care of Harry.
Despite their different reactions, this moment is emotional for both Miles and Joe, as the brothers are distraught at the thought of separating from each other. Whereas Miles feels as though he is losing his closest companion, Joe is guilty knowing that he will be leaving Miles and Harry to fend for themselves in the neglectful care of Dad.
Themes
Joe drops Miles off at Dad’s house and tells him that he will be leaving early the next morning. Miles realizes that Joe is already prepared to leave that night and that his brother had planned their afternoon together as a way of saying goodbye. Joe assures Miles that he will be back and pleads with him to realize that he is “only nineteen.” Miles feels as though he and Harry will never get away from Bruny Island.
Although Joe cares deeply for Harry and Miles, he feels conflicted toward the de facto father role he has been forced to take on due to Mum’s death and Dad’s unfit parenting. He ultimately cannot bear the pressure of caring for his younger brothers and decides he must flee his unwanted responsibilities. That even Joe isn’t able to solve Miles and Harry’s problems shows just how devastating this kind of tragedy and neglect can be.
Themes
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