9th Grade pre-Diploma Summer Reading Assignment for Class of 2018

Fort Myers High School

Big Fish: A Novel

of Mythic Proportions
By Daniel Wallace (ISBN 978-1-61620-164-7)
*A note of caution: The movie Big Fish reflects significant differences from Wallaces novel, so please base your
ideas for this assignment solely off your reading of the novel. There is no need to watch the movie; in fact, we will
watch it together in English classes at Fort Myers High School.

Pre-Reading: Before reading the novel, record your ideas and predictions about the novel based on the
title:_________________________________________________________________________________
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During Reading: As you read, fill out the chart below to track the characterization of the protagonist,
Edward Bloom, throughout the three major periods of his life.
Edward as a Child
(portrayed in flashback)

Edward as a Young Man

(portrayed in flashback)

Edward as an Old Man

(present day)

When you are finished reading the novel, answer the discussion questions on the back of this page.

After Reading: The questions for discussion below are taken directly from the back of the novel; they
are included here in case you get a different copy of the novel than the recommended ISBN. Please
answer each thoughtfully in a brief paragraph of several sentences on a separate sheet(s) of paper, and
attach them here. (We have omitted the last question, #12, as it refers to the major motion picture, Big Fish, and
not solely to the novel. We will watch the movie together in school and discuss our answers to #12 together at that
time.) If you do not understand certain words in a question, you may need to look them up. Do your best;

remember that this assignment will provide your English teacher a first glimpse of you as a student.
1. William tells the story of his father through a series of tall tales. Why might tales that challenge the
truth be a more effective way of getting to the heart of Williams father?
2. Mythical heroes usually undertake a quest for an object or knowledge. What is Edwards quest? What
is Williams?
3. How does Edward react to the role of becoming a father?
4. How would you contrast William and Edward, especially in their understanding of storytelling?
5. How would you characterize Edward and Williams relationship? In what ways does it change
throughout the course of the book?
6. Is there a specific tale here that seems to veer from the tone of the others? If so, in what way does that
tale tell us more of what really happened? Does it matter what really happened? Why or why not?
7. The final scene between Edward and William takes place four times (or is played out in four different
ways). What is the effect of each one, and why does the author create so many alternate versions of only
one scene? What might that say about Williams role as a spinner of tales?
8. How does the element of water figure into the imagery and ideas in the story?
9. What is the meaning of the big fish? What are we to make of this final transformation?
10. The narrative style here is minimalist and segmented. What does this say about memory? What does
it say about how completely we can ever know someone?
11. If someone were to ask you what really happened in Edwards life, how would you describe it? Do
you think he is self-centered or unselfish? What leads you to this conclusion?
Final Thoughts (for now!): Pick one of the mythological characters listed below. Do some quick
research and decide how that allusion (reference to a famous story) is used in Big Fish. Write the name of
the allusion and an explanation of several sentences on the lines provided here.
Possible Allusions: Odysseus, Telemachus, Nereids, Fates, Nymphs, Hercules, Cerberus
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