The Novince W. D. Valgardson Summary

Idealistic ideas that we possess can assist us to guide us through our lives, but it is our ability to take on reality that shapes our thoughts, and who we become. Ideals usually serve as a guiding figure in our lives, which provide us with a sense of purpose and direction. In the story “The Novice,” by W.D. Valgardson, this concept of ideals and reality is shown particularly in the character of the first mate. The mate’s faith and reliability in the boat, Sally Anne, is tested as he is forced to abandon the ideals he once had and focus solely on surviving. Through tackling the realities of the devastation of the ship, the author insights into the complexity of human resilience and their ability to adapt to the changes in reality. The adventure
Sally Anne is more than a form of transportation to the mate, it embodies order and stability in the chaotic world. The mate gives further insight into his reliance on the boat, from constantly waiting for the season to arrive, to fixing the boat over and over again in order for it to keep running even when it is in poor shape. This need and deep reliance on the boat to function elucidates an integral human need for reassurance and something to fall back on in a world full of unpredictability. For the mate, Sally Anne is what he falls back on, idealizing it as his savior despite the need to constantly repair the boat. Thus, mate's idealization of the boat, Sally Anne, is not just a means of usefulness and practicality, but the presence of this boat in his life shapes his worldview and actions. This relationship, which the mate has created for himself through his reliance on the boat, reinforces how ideals can play a large role in how people take on challenges throughout their life. For the mate, Sally Anne guides his world, the boat in itself represents the ideal with which he takes on challenges around