Big Fish

Essay #4--In-Class Expository Essay

Before television and movies existed, American settlers would depend on storytelling as a form of entertainment. One such style was called a tall tale, an improbably tale or story, something unlikely to take place or be true. However, in Tim Burton's movie, Big Fish, Edward Bloom used these stories to convey his identity. He was able to tell them on a grand scale; unveiling his courageousness, ambition, and determination just to name a few.

Courage is the ability to conquer fear or despair, a trait that all people have within; except it is only the people that perform tremendous feats or overcome the larger than life obstacles that most people notice. The people of the town of Ashton were afraid of a giant named Karl, a man that stood as high as a house. Edward Bloom came to the rescue of the townspeople and decided to confront this mean and scary monster, acting as a human sacrifice. He was able to convince the giant to leave the town for bigger and better things. Edward stepped up and became a hero; able to stand fear straight in the eye. Not only did this exemplify his bravery, but it also opened up many opportunities--his eagerness to see and conquer the outside world, to be ambitious and take the road that fewer people had traveled.

Ambition is the eagerness or desire for success or power. Edward Bloom was not just an ordinary man; he was extraordinary as many would say--ambitious. His eagerness or desire for success and power shot him above the rest. Edward was the one who hit the game winning home run, ran through the other team and scored the winning touchdown, hit the last second basket, owned a lawn-mowing business, won first prize in the science fair, and rescued a dog from a burning house. Not only was he admirable, Edward set forth high standards and was great at whatever he set his mind to. He was determined to be the best in everything.

In order to be successful, you must be determined; have the drive and the willingness to complete the task at-hand; be able to come to a final decision or conclusion. Edward demonstrated this trait when he saw Sandra Templeton at the circus, the woman that he was destined to marry. "I'm going to spend every day for the rest of my life looking for her; that, or die alone." Determined to find the love of his life, he worked for free for the ringmaster of the circus, Amos Callaway.