Themes and message

The main themes explored in the story “Eel” by Stefanie Seddon are sibling relationships, childhood, and growing up. 

Sibling relationships

The author explores the theme of sibling relationships throughout the story.

At the beginning, we learn that the main character, a young boy named Archie, begs his mother to go eel fishing with his older brothers Ted, Patrick, and Arthur. She accepts under the condition that his oldest brother, Ted, takes care of him.

During their fishing trip, the relationship between Archie and his brothers is revealed. Ted is more present in the action than the twins Pat and Arthur, which emphasizes Archie’s relationship with him. Although not explicitly stated, Ted is most likely a role-model for Archie.

Overall, the relationship between the four brothers is stereotypical, in the sense that the older brothers pick on Archie, who is the youngest, for their own amusement.

The story reveals an ambivalent relationship between Archie and his older brothers. While they do congratulate him on fin...