Alistair MacLeod's "The Boat"

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Part A
Alistair MacLeod's "The Boat"
The passage is taken from Alistair Macleod's short story "The Boat." The narrator tells the story about his experience piloting a fishing boat with his father during winter. The narrator says he was at the tiller while his father stood at the stern. The author would sometimes wake up at four o’clock believing that his father was waiting for him in the room below: “There are times when I am half out of bed and fumbling for socks and mumbling for words before I realize that I am foolishly alone, that no one waits at the base of the stairs and no boat rides restlessly in the waters by the pier” (MacLeod, pg. 247). The author’s earliest memories are with his father taking him on a boat ride: “I rode the half-mile from our house to the wharf on his shoulders and I remember h sound of his rubber boots galumphing along the gravel beach, the tune of the indecent little song he used to sing and the odor of the salt” (MacLeod, pg. 248). The engine also produced high sounds, and they had no choice but to raise their voices while talking. Also, he compares himself to his uncle and stands at the place where the uncle used to stand while on the boat (MacLeod). However, on the last run of their season, which happened on the 21st of November, the narrator turned back to look at his father and realized he was no longer there. That moment dawns on him that his father would never return.
This passage of the story has significance in that it highlights to the readers the nature of fishing and the risks that fishermen and other stakeholders face daily. Imagery such as the "waves of the grey Atlantic" being very high and the sea water and weather being freezing creates an image of danger and foreboding (MacLeod). Additionally, the passage indicates that there were no signposts in the sea, and the visibility was overly poor such that the fishermen could barely see in front of them (MacLeod). This depicts how dangerous the waters can be for fishermen trying to achieve their fishing goals. Thus, the realization the narrator that his father may never return indicates the unpredictability of the sea and the innumerable dangers that fishermen face in their everyday lives (MacLeod).
Also, the passage highlights the tradition and the importance of the passage of skill and knowledge through generations. For instance, the narrator compares himself to his uncle by standing in his place (MacLeod). This shows that he was representing his uncle's traits and continuing with the family fishing tradition. It is indicated that the uncle and father cannot swim. However, regardless of this, they still pass on the fishing tradition to the next generation, to to which the narrator belongs (MacLeod). This helped maintain the tradition and ensure that they gained the relevant skills and knowledge.
Moreover, language is an aspect that has been used in the passage to emphasize danger. The narrator continually uses the words "very High" waves to signify the extent of the danger they were engulfed in while fishing (MacLeod). Thus, while reading the passage, tension is created as it is unpredictable what the fishermen may experience while on their expedition. Al...