The Aquatic Uncle

The short story, The Aquatic Uncle, by Italo Calvino goes on about a point in evolution where fish are drawn to the land, and start to move there. I really appreciated all the themes of modern society versus traditional values. I also thought it related a lot to the older generation of today, and how they're sometimes less accustomed to what the younger generation chooses to do. The idea of older people using texting was out of the picture 10 years ago. Many preferred making telephone calls to texting. And before that, people were haunted by the idea of hearing someone's voice through a wire, and refused Alexander Bell's invention. There will always be someone who prefers the old fashioned way in every generation. Change is scary, and this short story explains it.

I also thought it was an example of being out of place, as immigrants are when they move to America, sometimes they are shunned by both their native country and Americans. The main character fish is currently dealing with the same struggle as he is somewhere in between land and sea, but master of none. And because of that he is not great at swimming or dwelling on land. He feels like he doesn't fit in. Immigrants today who might have moved from their country at a young age are at a disadvantage in the new country they are in.

And finally, the idea of the grass being greener on the other side can be seen. As the fiancé is transfixed by the idea of living in water. She asks the great uncle to explain the underwater world. The main character is revolted by his persistence and embarrassed that the uncle won't stop praising the aquatic life. History is doomed to repeat itself, so just as fish were drawn to the land, eventually there would be land-dwellers that would be drawn to the sea.

Listen to your elders or they will steal your fiancé.