HIST-281 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Alistair Macleod, Gaida, Ebsco Information Services
Document Summary
Alistair macleod"s short story the boat is a coming of age tale that explores how conflicting life choices can leave a person feeling guilt-ridden and entrapped within their own mind. In the story, memories of his father"s death haunt the narrator. The narrator takes the reader back to his childhood, where he describes what life was like living by the sea, and how his. Father"s work as a fisherman permeated every aspect of family life. The story also addresses the challenges faced by those who find themselves trapped in a struggle between two conflicting life choices. Macleod utilizes elements of symbolism, characterization, and point of view to emphasize the central theme: the entrapment felt by the narrator and his father because of divergent life choices. Symbolism is a notable method used by macleod to develop the concept of entrapment in the story. It is apparent that the boat holds remarkable significance both for the narrator, and his father.
