Language

The language of the short story is descriptive but simple and easy to follow. Most of the text is conveyed in the narrative mode, which is only rarely interrupted by a few dialogue lines which let the characters speak for themselves: “ ‘Has it?’ He said nothing for a while, then smiled. ‘I think so.’ ” (ll. 130-131).

Choice of words and imagery

Megan McGrath’s choice of words for this short story reveals a highly descriptive narrative, focused on visual imagery.

The story includes numerous descriptive words that focus on the setting, most of which have a negative meaning. This suggests how the character-narrator does not feel at ease there (as an adult) and the hard life of fishermen. Here are some relevant examples: “treacherous northern stretch of coastline” (ll. 6-7), “rocky headlands and monstrous tides” (l. 7), “great catches and disasters” (l. 12), “sun-bleached bones” (l. 20), “vertical cylindrical cave” (l. 44), “big swells” (l. 47), “big seas” (l.70), “eerie morning light” (l. 74), “desolate, shifting from silver to grey” (ll. 87-88), “sunburnt kelp” (l. 143), “murky with salt” (l. 156), “lungful of precious air” (l. 206).

Other descriptive words create imagery in connection with the characters, focusing on their physical traits and their reactions: “dark hair matted and lips chapped” (l. 28), “pale and wrinkled” (l. 30), “watched enviously” (l. 55), “delirious with adrenalin” (l. 58), “kindness in their eyes” (l. 62), “humble and proud” (l. 67), “messy knot” (l. 113), “dripping, exhausted, alive” (l. 207), “first confused, then ecstatic with pride” (ll. 216-217).

An example of extensive imagery, where the writer con...