Big Fish Novel Guided Questions

Ms. Ehringhaus

AP Literature

Part 1: p. 1-11

The Day He Was Born

  1. On p. 2, the narrator describes his father as “turned into a weird creature.” List the 2 sets of contrasting adjectives the narrator uses to describe his father.
  2. The narrator starts out the chapter “The Day He Was Born” using imagery of death. Define the term “juxtaposition”. What tone is created by the juxtaposition of the ideas of birth and death?
  3. What were the townspeople doing when the narrator’s father is born?
  4. What is the narrator’s father’s name?
  5. What significant event happened when he was born? What does this signify?

The Year it Snowed in Alabama

  1. Define the word “exaggeration” in your notes.
  2. List 5 exaggerations told in this tale.

Part 2: p. 12-23

His Great Promise

  1. “He was a big fish, even then.” (p. 12) What is the significance of this quote? Who was a big fish? Why?

My Father’s Death: Take 1

  1. What is the worst thing that could have happened to Edward Bloom? Why? (p. 15)
  2. “He became just a man, a man without a job, without a story to tell, a man, I realized, I didn’t know.” (p. 17) What does the narrator realize?
  3. “Remembering a man’s stories makes him immortal, did you know that?” (p.20)

What do we learn about Edward Bloom from this quote?

  1. “A big fish in a big pond—that’s what I wanted.” (p. 21) What does Edward mean by saying this?
  2. According to the narrator, what “makes a man great”? (p. 22)

Part 3: p. 24-p.33

The Girl In The River

  1. How do we know that this chapter is just another one of Edward Bloom’s tall-tales?

How He Tamed The Giant

  1. How does Edward outsmart the giant, Karl?
  2. How does this episode contribute to the “legend” of Edward Bloom? (p. 33)

Part 4: p. 34-49

In Which He Goes Fishing

  1. What do you know about catfish? (try to write at least 2 things)
  2. Why is it important that the catfish is described as being “as big as a man”?
  3. Why does Edward keep this story to himself?

The Day He Left Ashland

  1. Describe the place with no name. Use 3 direct quotes from the novel.
  2. Describe the people in the place with no name. (p. 39)
  3. “Dog” is described as a “kind of gatekeeper.”? Why? (p. 43)
  4. Willie tells Edward: “Think you’re a real big fish. But you’re not the first we’ve seen.” (p. 45) What does Willie mean by this?
  5. How does Dog react to Edward? Why is this significant?
  6. How does Edward outsmart Dog?

Part 5: p. 50 – p. 64

The Old Lady and the Eye

1. Why does Edward travel to Auburn?

2. What kind of power did the old lady’s glass eye possess?

Part 6: p. 65-p. 75

My Father’s Death: Take 2

  1. How have the roles reversed between father and son? (p. 68)
  2. How does the father react when his son asks him if he believes in Heaven?
  3. What is the meaning of Edward’s last word to his son “Pinocchio”?

Part 7: p. 76- p.85

  1. Who is Sandra Kay Templeton?
  2. Who is Don Price? What is the connection between Don Price and William’s mother?
  3. Why do Don Price and Edward fight?

Part 8: p. 86 – p.100

  1. What were Edward’s 3 labours?
  2. Compare the incident with “Dog” in the place with no name and the incident with “Helldog” in this chapter.

Part 9: p. 101- p. 116

  1. “But then, in the distance away from the ship, he saw a young girl waving to him. The same girl, he remembered, from a long time ago, he that in a minute.” (Wallace 104) Who is the girl he’s referring to? When did he meet this girl previously?
  2. “Beneath one façade there’s another façade and then another, and beneath that the aching dark place, his life.” (Wallace 114)

a)What is a “façade”?

b)What is the author trying to say about Edward Bloom?

c)How does this quote relate to life in general?

Part 10: p. 117- p. 127

  1. What are the 7 virtues Edward’s father wants to pass on to William? (p. 122)
  2. Why is it ironic that he wrote this list on the back of a paper bag?
  3. “So in a way it was true: as I grew, he shrank.” (Wallace 123)

a)What does this quote mean in your own words?

b)What is the author trying to say about father and son relationships?

  1. In which 2 ways, does Edward save his son’s life?

Part 11: p. 128 – p. 140

  1. What does “riding the tiger” mean on p. 130?
  2. In the narrator’s opinion, what is the most extraordinary power his father possesses? (p. 130)
  3. Why does William describe his father as being “mythic” on p. 132?
  4. On p. 139, the old man says to William: “We’re part of him, of who he is, just as he is a part of us. You still don’t understand, don’t you?” (Wallace 139)

a)What is the old man trying to tell William about his father?

Part 12: p. 143- p. 163

  1. “Opportunities come in disguise sometimes.” (Wallace 143) How could this quote pertain to your life?
  2. Explain how a car becomes Edward’s “magic carpet.”
  3. Why did Edward buy the town of Specter?
  4. Who is Jenny? Where does she live? What happens to her?
  5. On p. 158, how does the narrator describe history in Specter?
  6. How are stories in Specter similar to folktales, as described on page 159?

Part 13: p. 164-p. 180

  1. In “How it Ends,” explain how Edward’s illness changes him.
  2. What is resiliency? How does Edward demonstrate resiliency?
  3. In “My Father’s Death Take 4,” what is Edward’s final wish? What does William regret?
  4. Describe Edward’s escape from the hospital.
  5. Describe Edward’s transformation. What is your reaction?