The Maine/Fishy Business

The Maine is both a setting and a symbol, and a more insignificant setting. The Maine is the setting for Chapters 5 - 10 and Chapters 53 - 54. DeMille describes The Maine on the first page, demonstrating its importance as a setting, symbol, and for Mac as the owner and captain. Mac claims, “I am the owner and skipper of a 42-foot deep-sea fishing charter boat called The Maine, named for my home state - not for the American battleship that blew up in Havana Harbor, though some people think that” (3). He also describes it in chapter 5 - “built in 2001 . . in Walpole Maine” (20). It includes a tuna tower, can get up to 25 knots of speed, and can sleep four. Mac uses the boat for fishing charters, “Whatever the customer wants. As long as it’s legal” (3). Jack is his first mate, and close friend who helps him navigate...