37 pages • 1 hour read
Rodman PhilbrickThe Young Man and the Sea
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2004A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Chapters 17-21Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Chapter 17 Summary: “Three Rules for Skiff Beaman”
Skiff rows out to sea at night in order to reach tuna territory by morning, when they’ll be feeding. He recalls his mother Mary Rose’s advice to think smart, speak the truth, and never give up. He sometimes forgets the first two pieces of advice, but usually remembers the third. Skiff worries about following all three pieces of advice at once. He knows how to find tuna territory because his father taught him. He checks the compass to ensure he’s heading east, and after about five miles, his skiff’s motor stops working.
Chapter 18 Summary: “What Happened to the Stars”
Skiff starts to panic, then remembers to check the skiff’s gas. He adds more gas, and the boat starts working again. He continues heading east, while chatting with his mother and imagining what she would say. “Mary Rose” wants him to be careful and think smart. Skiff takes solace in the fact that local fishers often help one another in emergencies; for example, when his father was caught in a storm, Devlin towed the Mary Rose. Suddenly, a fog appears, making it difficult to see.
Chapter 19 Summary: “If Mist Made the World”
Skiff starts to panic because of the fog, then tells himself that he can still see far enough to throw a harpoon. He searches for birds, which often indicate where fish are, but can’t see any because of the fog. He dumps bait in the water to attract small fish, which then attract big fish like tuna. After an hour, small mackerel arrive and eat some bait, but then leave. Skiff curses himself for only bringing one bucket of bait, but then hears a big splash.
Chapter 20 Summary: “Take My Breath Away”
Skiff wields his harpoon, but doesn’t see or hear any more splashes. He sees something shimmering underwater, then realizes it’s a school of bluefin tuna. He throws the harpoon but misses. Skiff tries again and misses, but gets closer. He keeps throwing even when he no longer sees the fish; then, they seem to disappear. He starts to panic, but calms himself down by drinking water, eating, and reflecting on his strategy. Skiff decides to only throw his harpoon when certain of his shots. He takes a nap, and then is waken by a foghorn.
Chapter 21 Summary: “When the Whoosh Comes By”
Normally, boats are supposed to signal a foghorn in return. However, Skiff forgot to bring a horn, so he watches the other boat pass him. He also forgot to bring a watch; he thought he’d be able to tell time using the sun, but it’s so foggy he can’t see the sun’s exact location. Skiff begins to regret his mission when another tuna appears. So as to not scare the fish, he slowly sits up and raises his harpoon. He’s so amazed by how big and beautiful the fish is that he almost forgets what to do. “Mary Rose” reminds Skiff to focus, and he throws the harpoon. He falls but when he recovers, he doesn’t see the fish anymore. He tugs on the keg line, and it slips through his hands: Skiff caught the fish, but it’s swimming down to get away. He picks up the keg, but some of the line snags. The line wraps around his wrist, and he gets pulled into the water.
Chapters 17-21 Analysis
This section reveals Mary Rose’s three pieces of advice for Skiff, two of which emphasize the themes of The Necessity of Resilience and The Importance of Thinking Smart. Skiff still feels there is tension between thinking smart and never giving up; he believes it’s sometimes impossible to do both at once. However, he has already proven he can do so, as he stops catching lobsters and instead pursues a large, high-quality bluefin tuna. Critical thinking involves recognizing one’s panic, regaining one’s nerves and thinking things through. For example, when Skiff’s motor dies, he initially assumes it’s broken and panics; however, after calming down and thinking rationally, he remembers to check the gas, which is empty and can be restored. Critical thinking also involves prioritizing basic needs like food, water, rest, and safety. When Skiff doesn’t sustain himself, he risks his physical and mental health. If he gets injured, he won’t be able to fulfill his goal. This goal relies on prior knowledge, as well as trial and error. For example, Skiff draws on prior knowledge of boats, fish behavior, geography, and weather, but doesn’t know how to harpoon a tuna—so he practices. Once he realizes continually throwing his harpoon without a clear view of the tuna is ineffective, he thinks smarter and saves his throws for easier shots.
This section showcases Skiff’s resilience through his navigation of fog and an obscured sun. A sudden fog bars his path, but after some time, the sun partially lights his way. He can’t tell time using the sun’s location, as it’s obscured, but it rises and sets without fail. Likewise, Skiff does not let temporary setbacks interfere with his mission. He feels discouraged after an initial school of fish eat his bait and leave, but when a tuna returns, he wields his harpoon again. This section reinforces The Centrality of Family because, although he is physically alone, he draws mental fortitude from both parents—including a mental image of his mother Mary Rose, with whom he interacts during the boat ride. Mary Rose’s emphasis on integrity and Skiff Sr.’s lessons in compass use and directions continue to serve Skiff well. Overall, his journey illustrates how family can make each other stronger, even when not physically together.
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By Rodman Philbrick
