Characters
Thomas Skelton
Thomas Skelton is a young man driven by the ambition to establish himself as a self-employed fishing guide, aspiring to own his own boat. Returning to Key West from a state of drug-induced disorientation, he concludes that becoming a fishing guide is the key to regaining his sanity. This decision is not taken lightly but rather by a process of elimination, as every other career path appears either undesirable or beyond his capabilities. Skelton's determination is evident as he persists with his plans despite serious threats from Nichol Dance, a well-known guide in the region, who explicitly warns he will kill Skelton if he begins guiding. Conscious of the gravity of this threat, knowing Dance is not to be underestimated, Skelton nevertheless perseveres.
To save money, Skelton resides in a repurposed airplane fuselage, where he thoroughly prepares for his guiding career by delving into literature about fish and guiding techniques. He dreams of a future where he guides clients only a few days a week, dedicating the remainder of his time to personal pursuits like reading and fishing. Skelton’s family life is a tapestry woven with humor and complexity. His father, having temporarily chosen a sedentary lifestyle confined behind mosquito netting, shares his son’s preference for decisions by elimination. With a past dotted with ventures such as gunrunning and managing a whorehouse, his father now enjoys watching football and playing the violin, occasionally escaping at night to explore the town's less savory areas. Skelton’s mother, a former prostitute from her husband's whorehouse, plays a passive role in a family dominated by eccentric men, serving mainly as the glue that brings the family together at her home.
Goldsboro Skelton, Thomas’s grandfather, is a formidable and wealthy figure who amassed his fortune through political corruption and manipulation. Known for exploiting control gaps between various self-serving interests, he is both revered and feared for his power and eccentricities. Despite offering to fund Thomas's guiding business, he derives amusement from capriciously threatening to withdraw his support, only to later restore it without notifying his grandson. This dynamic adds a layer of unpredictability and tension to Thomas's pursuit.
Thomas Skelton’s journey is a mix of earnest self-discovery and comic misadventure. His quest for an authentic vocation, however humorously portrayed, is sincere. His journey encapsulates a struggle for identity and truth—a narrative that simultaneously entertains and provokes thought.
Nichol Dance
Nichol Dance, a fishing guide, is notorious for his volatile temper and violent history, which makes him a formidable character in the Key West area. He issues a dire warning to Thomas Skelton, threatening to kill him if he begins guiding from his dock in Marathon. Dance's actions are motivated by a need to uphold his reputation rather than personal animosity towards Skelton. His mental instability is palpable, often engaging in contemplations of suicide, which diminishes the perceived weight of taking another's life. Dance's behavior reflects a deep-seated turmoil that transcends mere professional rivalry, painting him as a deeply troubled character.
Faron Carter
Faron Carter, another fishing guide, occasionally collaborates with Nichol Dance when circumstances necessitate. Although he disapproves of Dance's threats directed at Skelton and doubts their seriousness, Carter remains passive. His domestic life is in disarray; married to a woman fixated on recapturing her high school cheerleading days, Carter finds himself mired in debt due to her compulsive spending. Despite this chaos, Carter takes solace in the vibrant waterfront activities, which include witnessing Dance’s violent antics and pranks. His amusement in the face of turmoil reveals a coping mechanism, offering him some semblance of escape from his domestic discord.
Miranda Cole
Miranda...
(This entire section contains 1062 words.)
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Cole, Skelton’s girlfriend and a seventh-grade geography teacher, maintains a relationship with him that is marked by its relaxed nature and lack of definitive direction, with Skelton’s aspirations taking precedence. Although she is upset by Dance’s threats, she acknowledges that pleading with Skelton will not alter his course. Her apprehension for his safety compels her to leave town on the day Skelton embarks on his guiding journey. Despite this, Miranda emerges as one of McGuane's more developed female characters. She asserts control over her sexuality, refrains from participating in Skelton’s more reckless undertakings, and preserves a captivating independence. Her character embodies a balance of traditional and unconventional facets of femininity, which enriches the narrative and offers depth to her portrayal.
Goldsboro Skelton
Goldsboro Skelton, Thomas Skelton’s grandfather, stands as a figure of immense wealth and influence, having secured his position through a life steeped in political graft and manipulation. His expertise lies in exploiting the "gaps of control" among conflicting interests, enabling him to wield significant power. Goldsboro’s offer to finance Thomas’s guiding business is marred by his capricious nature, as he delights in intermittently threatening to withdraw his support, only to later reinstate it without disclosure. This behavior underscores a complex dynamic of power and unpredictability, enriching the narrative with tension and unpredictability.
Skelton’s Father
Skelton’s father has chosen a life temporarily confined behind mosquito netting, embodying eccentricity and disengagement. His past ventures include gunrunning, blimp manufacturing, and managing a whorehouse, showcasing a diverse, albeit unorthodox, career path. Currently, he spends his days engrossed in football and violin playing, punctuated by nocturnal outings into the town’s sordid parts. Despite his quirky lifestyle, he harbors a desire to communicate with Thomas, aiming to dissuade him from pursuing the fishing guide path—a conversation he delays until he finds the opportune moment.
Skelton’s Mother
Skelton’s mother, once a prostitute in her husband’s whorehouse, exists within a family dynamic dominated by peculiar men. Her presence is largely passive, with little influence over the men who surround her, serving mainly as the pretext for familial gatherings. Her character, although understated, plays a crucial role in maintaining familial cohesion, despite the eccentricity that characterizes her family’s interactions.
In Thomas McGuane's novel, the characters are intricately crafted, showcasing a balance of humor and seriousness that flirts with the Bildungsroman tradition, exploring identity and self-discovery. Characters range from vividly comic to subtly complex, engaging readers through their crafted portrayals. While the narrative is dotted with humor, the depth of character exploration ensures a compelling read. Miranda Cole, in particular, stands out as a nuanced portrayal of independence and agency, transcending typical portrayals in earlier works by McGuane.
