The Shipping News

A detailed Summary of The Shipping News

One of the major themes in "The Shipping News" is the search for respect, self-respect and happiness. How does Quoyle find these goals and succeed as a happy respected middle aged man.

In the early days of Quoyle's life he is portrayed as lonely and confused. Due to Quoyle's differences he found nothing but rejection from his school yard peers and even his family. Qouyle toward one foot over anyone else and was soft. Qouyle was over weight and physically undesirable. Due to this, Quoyle's self-esteem level was at the bottom of the well. Quoyle meets a young man like him self at the Mockingburg Laundromat. Quoyle appearance wise is the opposite to his new friend Partridge, Quoyle being tall, fat and white, whilst Partridge being short, thin and black. Partridge and Quoyle become good friends. Partridge gets Quoyle a job where he himself is currently hired, at the Mockingburg. Quoyle is repeatedly fired and re-hired at the Mockingburg, the pay in this new job is pathetic, but for once in Quoyle's life he feels secure and happy. Qouyle's happiness increases when he meets the seductive Petal Bear, Quoyle and Petal marry shortly after meeting and have two children together,

Quoyle is finally proud to be himself and therefore rips out some of the newspaper which has his name on it as editor and posts it to Partridge. At the end of Quoyle's journey in the novel "The Shipping News", Quoyle marries Wavey forever putting his past behind him. Quoyle's search for self respect and happiness has been accomplished.

After the funeral of his parents who committed suicide, Quoyle meets his Aunt Agnis Hamm who is to be an important influence in Quoyles life. Agnis is a role model for Quoyle for she has been through hardships throughout her life, but still remains stable and strong. Agnis convinces Quoyle to move to Newfoundland to make a "fresh start". There is nothing left for Qouyle in Mockingburg, he lost his job, his parents, his best friend and his wife in Mockingburg. The place held to many in-fond memories, it was time to move on. Moving to Newfoundland is Qouyle's first step to happiness and self-respect, with his past behind him, Quoyle is ready to "start fresh".

Jack Buggit also plays a big role in the transformation of Quoyle's life and perspective on life. Jack looked beyond Quoyle's physical appearance and bad past which gave Quoyle the opportunity to prove himself and when Quoyle did, Jack credited him. " thirty-six years old and this was the first time anybody ever said he'd done it right". Quoyle's righting ability becomes far superior to that of the Quoyle who once worked at the Mockingburg and therefore Jack Buggit gives Quoyle the position of editor which has a powerful effect on Quoyle's self-esteem and happiness.

The beginning of Quoyle's journey to happiness is a lonely and confused one. Due to all of his flaws physically and mentally, he was lost. His future was unclear to him as he was trapped in the present and haunted by the past. His search was ultimately f

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Approximate Word count = 1239
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Novels