The Shipping News | Themes

The Shipping News Themes

Coming of Age

For Quoyle, this story is one of coming of age. Although he is an adult of thirty-six years when introduced to the reader, he is very immature. He has very little, if any self-esteem, he's drifting through his life. After becoming a father and living through the destructive marriage to Petal he begins to grow up a little. However, not until he leaves New York and arrives in Newfoundland does he really begin to experience some small successes in his life and mature. For example, when he finishes roofing his house, he had not done anything like that in the past but he was forced by his aunt to muster the courage to give it a try. He succeeded in roofing the house and gained some confidence. Then he launches his newly purchased boat and experiences driving his boat on the water, which was a completely new experience for him....
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