(I am aware that there are no alligators in the lake the two men were fishing in. I just like the picture. ^^^)With this series of twelve pages (pgs 48 to 60), I found numerous literary tools and had a hard time deciding which to use for this particular blog. By now, I'm sure you have figured out that I decided on symbol(ism). Really, this only comes into play one time in these pages, but, when I read this line, it packed quite a punch.
" 'Ain't biting,' he said (pg 60)."
While this is an extremely short quote, it holds a great deal of meaning concerning the young O'Brien's perplexing situation. Despite its brevity, this quote is clearly alluding to the fact that "Timmy" is not taking him up on his unspoken offer to drop him off at the Canadian border. If O'Brien had chosen to jump out of the small fishing boat and swim to the Canadian shore, he would be relieved of his militarial duty, so to speak. Still, the author is all too aware that the decision to jump would also be one of shame, and to bring shame on himself and his family is apparently a fate worse than death. Yes, the old man is also stating that the fish he is so carelessly and innocently going after are not taking his bait that particular day, but the deeper meaning is as transparent as newly shammied glass.
" 'Ain't biting,' he said (pg 60)."
While this is an extremely short quote, it holds a great deal of meaning concerning the young O'Brien's perplexing situation. Despite its brevity, this quote is clearly alluding to the fact that "Timmy" is not taking him up on his unspoken offer to drop him off at the Canadian border. If O'Brien had chosen to jump out of the small fishing boat and swim to the Canadian shore, he would be relieved of his militarial duty, so to speak. Still, the author is all too aware that the decision to jump would also be one of shame, and to bring shame on himself and his family is apparently a fate worse than death. Yes, the old man is also stating that the fish he is so carelessly and innocently going after are not taking his bait that particular day, but the deeper meaning is as transparent as newly shammied glass.
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