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Relationships In Quoyle's The Shipping News

638 Words3 Pages

Relationships are based on the different ways in which people are connected, perhaps by history, family roots, and similar experiences. It may be impossible to change one’s past experiences, but there is potential to alter the effect of which it will impact one’s present and future interactions with others. In this section of the novel “The Shipping News” the imagery highlights the main protagonist’s, Quoyle’s past and present relationships with his family and Wavey. Throughout these chapters, the imagery and Quoyle’s surrounding setting help him comprehend a larger portion of his family and their past. While on Gaze Island, which Quoyle thinks of as “…a secret and ruined place. Desolate, and the slyness of the hidden tickle gave the sense …show more content…

The epigraph of chapter 24 reads “The difference between the Clove Hitch and Two Half Hitches is exceedingly vague in the minds of many, the reason being that the two have the same knot form; but one is tied around another object. the other around its own standing part.” (190) These knots tie nicely with the intracity of Quoyle’s and Wavey’s relationship. The knot tied around itself represents the tension and build up of overwhelming emotions that both characters possess. Knots are simple fragments of strings looped, twisted and unclearly woven into elaborate patterns. They are difficult to comprehend and complicated, just like feelings of love and desire. Both Wavey and Quoyle are unsure of what lies at the end of the labyrinth of their emotions. Deep down in the center of their knotted emotions, they may know how they feel, but the tricky part is seeing past the layered rope. However, the knot tied around another object highlights the connections, both characters have with other people who have tied them down and prevented them from letting go of their past. Both these characters have had ill ending relationships with their partners that have resulted in a warped definition of trust in others. However, knots can be untied and retied. As the two start developing feelings for each other, they begin to tie

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