Most Significant Scene In Annie Proulx's The Shipping News

The most significant scene in Chapters 29-34 of The Shipping News, by Annie Proulx, is when Quoyle visits the house on Quoyle’s point to pick up some things and immediately after goes to see his cousin Nolan; this scene develops theme in a symbolic, lyrical way as Quoyle faces up to how much his past has been affecting him, as well as his need to stop dwelling on the past. The scene is found on pages 263-265 of the novel. The scene develops the themes of change and moving forward, highlighting that change and moving forward are necessary to obtain happiness and success. For Quoyle, coming to Newfoundland is moving forward, since he has never been there before, and the move has a positive effect on him. He transforms from a shy and unsure man stumbling through life, “counting on nothing” (Proulx 1) into a confident and independent man. In contrast, for Aunt Agnis, coming to Newfoundland is returning to her past, a past of painful experiences, and the move has a negative impact on her. She arrives a resolute woman of action and slowly becomes aloof and somewhat apathetic, surrounded by constant reminders of her past. When Quoyle returns to his old …show more content…
He first proves his awareness when he convinces Aunt Agnis that they must move out of the family home, in chapter 28. The family home is from the past and is so full of memories and stories that it itself is the past. Therefore, Quoyle is literally dwelling in the past for the time that he lives in the old green house. During his brief visit back to the house, Quoyle thinks,“The house was all wrong. Had always been wrong” (Proulx 263). Further, he thinks that allowing his past of a dreary career and disastrous relationship, to hold him back from a bright future, with a blossoming career at the The Gammy Bird and healthy relationships, is all