The Idea of an Essay, Volume 3

112 The Idea of an Essay: Volume 3 can control. From Marlin’s perspective, his approach to life and to parenting backfired. Marlin’s journey to find his son shows him that he must allow Nemo to grow by making mistakes and experiencing victory. Frankel notes that Marlin begins his journey calculating every move in an attempt to avoid any risk (76). After facing danger after danger, he and Dory find themselves in the belly of a whale. Marlin loses all hope of seeing his son again. There is no way out of this predicament. It is here, however, that Marlin deals with his fears. He tells Dory of his promise to never let anything happen to Nemo and she replies, “Well that’s silly! If you never let anything happen to him, then nothing would ever happen to him.” Marlin realizes that his over- protectiveness is actually keeping Nemo from growing up. Later in the scene, the whale tells Marlin and Dory to swim to the back of the throat. Marlin must make a life changing decision. Frankel observes that as the two fish hang from the whale’s tongue, Dory tells Marlin that it is time to let go (76). She is specifically referring to the whale, but this statement also addresses Marlin’s over-protectiveness. Frankel continues with Marlin’s response. With fear in his voice, Marlin asks, “How do you know that this won’t turn out badly?” Dory honestly replies, “I don’t.” This statement challenges Marlin’s approach to life, but he decides to let go. The whale shoots the two fish out its blowhole and back into the ocean. Marlin is ecstatic. He let go and hoped for the best and found that it actually worked (76). He can no longer dictate Nemo’s life. He must accept the risks and allow Nemo to experience both victory and defeat. Nemo also must face his fear. He has a damaged fin and therefore has a difficult time performing some tasks. When Gill asks Nemo to put the rock in the filter, Nemo agrees but isn’t sure that he can. The first attempt seems successful when Nemo wedges the rock in the filter’s fan, but as he starts heading back down the tube toward the water, the fan restarts. The suction pulls Nemo back up the tube toward the fan, and it takes all the other fish in the tank to save him. This understandably scares Nemo and Gill decides to forego any subsequent attempts. Later in the film, Nemo faces his fear and successfully sticks the rock in the filter. He accepted the risk and felt the satisfaction of victory. In addition to sacrifice and living life courageously, the movie promotes teamwork in the face of danger. Marlin and Dory exhibit both teamwork and a lack thereof. For example, they depend on each other. Marlin wouldn’t have been