Journey to Find Oneself

Carl Hiaasen explores the thematic idea that journey is a means to find oneself in his novel Skink: No Surrender. In the novel, not only does Richard undertake a physical journey to find his cousin, Malley, but the journey becomes a process of self-discovery and self-growth for Richard. This is, in large part, thanks to the grandfatherly influence of Skink.

When the novel begins and Richard learns that Malley has run away with an older man, he hesitates to say anything because he doesn’t want to get in trouble for the crime he committed in Saint Augustine, which Malley threatens to expose him for. It is only through conversing with Skink that Richard comes to accept the fact that his cousin’s safety is far more important than being grounded or getting in trouble in some other way. Even before he leaves...