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9th Grade pre-Diploma Summer Reading Assignment for Class of 2019
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 Wallace’s 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:__________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
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 and complete the other assignments
detailed 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 William’s father?
2. Mythical heroes usually undertake a quest for an object or knowledge. What is Edward’s quest? What is William’s?
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 William’s 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 William’s 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 Edward’s life, how would you describe it? Do you think he is
self-centered or unselfish? What leads you to this conclusion?
Allusions: Do some quick research on one of the allusions below. They have been assigned by the first letter of your last
name. Decide how that allusion (reference to a famous story) is used in Big Fish. Write a well-developed paragraph
explaining the allusion and its connections to Big Fish. Also list your source or sources (books, internet sites, etc.) on the
same paper.
Last Name A-C :Odysseus
D-F Telemachus
G-I Nereids
J-L Nymphs
M-O Hercules
P-S Fates
T-Z Cerberus
Imagery and Symbolism: Research the different cover art for different version of this book as well as movie posters,
playbills, and play posters. (It has been made into both a movie and a Broadway play.) Then come up with your own
cover or poster design that employs important imagery or symbols from the book. Be sure that your new design does
not use ideas that have already been used to advertise the story in any form. Your artwork should be used as a cover for
the rest of your assignment and should include the title of the book, the author’s name, and your name. Use color, and
make it a powerful advertisement for the story.