Finding Nemo

“Hi, I’m Dory, and … I don’t think I’ve ever eaten a fish.”

1. Finding Nemo is a coming of age story for both Nemo and Marlin:
a. Describe how Nemo comes of age: how does he mature? How does his world
view change because of the events of the story? In the beginning, Nemo was very
defiant against his dad, Marlin. He acted this way because his dad was very strict
with him because of what happened to his mom. Nemo views his dad as a bother
rather than appreciating his love. Although, once Nemo is captured he sees how
much Marlin goes through to get him back; therefore proving to Nemo that his
dad loves him and he realizes that his dad was looking out for him out of love.
b. Describe how Marlin comes of age: how does he mature as a father? How does
his behavior change because of the events of the story? In the beginning, Marlin
was very strict with Nemo because of what happened to Coral. Although, once
Nemo gets captured he is wracked with guilt. Along the way he meets Dory who
helps him grow as an individual. Once he is reunited with Nemo he sees how
Nemo survived the real world and along with Dory’s guidance he becomes less
strict with him.

2. Finding Nemo” is a typical hero’s journey story, in which the hero goes on a journey or
quest and learns a life lesson along the way. Describe Marlin’s quest:
a. What does he learn from:
i. The Sharks: He learns to not make snap judgments
ii. The Angler Fish (in the dark): He learns that not everything is what it
appears
iii. The Jellyfish: He learns to make light of stressful situations, but
sometimes it's at the costs of his friends (Dory)
iv. The Sea Turtles: He learns to let loose
v. The Whale: He learns to trust Dory
b. What is the life lesson that he learns? Marlin learns to open himself up to others.
In the end, he learns to trust others and to not take things too seriously.
c. How does he use what he’s learned to finally find and save Nemo? In order to
save Nemo he has to trust Dory and Nemo to know how to get out of the situation.
He ends up letting Nemo and Dory find their own way out of the fishing net and
watches from the outside.
3. How does Dory influence Marlin? How do they each shape each other’s character
throughout the film? What do they learn from each other? Dory influences Marlin to let
his guard down. In the beginning, he is very cold and distrusting of others. Although,
after meeting Dory she allows him to become less bitter and open up himself. They are
polar opposites, but end up balancing each other out and bringing the best out in each
other. Marlin helps Dory with her short term memory loss and becomes her friend.

4. What is ironic about Dory’s character? What's ironic about Dory’s character is her role in
Marlins life. Marlin is in a high stress situation of trying to find his son. Along the way he
meets Dory, who ends up causing a lot of problems for him. Although, the “problems”
she ends up causing for him actually end up benefiting him and help him eventually find
his son.

5. Describe the Fish Tank Gang: how do they serve as surrogate parents for Nemo? How do
they help Nemo come of age and/or mature? Once hearing Nemo's story, everyone in the
fishtank makes it their goal to reunite him with his dad. Gill ends up especially taking a
liking to Nemo so much so that he sacrifices his wellbeing to get Nemo out of the fish
tank. They make Nemo realize how much his dad cares about him and how important he
is.

6. Describe the foreshadowing as Marlin takes Nemo to school for the first time. When
Marlin takes Nemo to school for the first time he is very weary of letting him go. He
continues to tell him to be careful, but Nemo dismisses him. This foreshadows Nemo
getting taken due to not listening to Marlin.

7. How does the trauma at the beginning of the film affect the plot development and the
conflict of the film? The trauma at the beginning of the film ends up traumatizing Marlin
in the future. He loses his wife and a lot of his children, therefore only being left with one
son who he is very overprotective of. He ends up becoming very bitter and distrusting
and does not allow anyone in. He even ends up pushing his own son away by becoming
too strict with him, which inevitably leads to Nemo's capture.
8. What is ironic about Marlin’s promise to Nemo that he’ll never let anything happen to
him (Nemo)? What's ironic about Marlins promise is that Nemo eventually gets captured.

9. What is the main idea behind Dory’s mantra “just keep swimming”? How does this idea
relate to Marlin and Nemo’s coming of age? Dorys mantra reflects her positive
disposition. This saying ends up changing Marlins perspective on life and ends up saving
both Nemo and Dory when they get caught in the net.

10. What is the film’s main theme? The films main theme is all about not making snap
judgments. Marlin made a snap judgment about dory but in the end she ended up helping
him find his son. Every interaction that dory and marlin face, marlins first instinct is to
dismiss help because he is distrusting. Although, once Dory convinced him to accept the
help, it ended up benefiting them. I think the main theme focuses on the benefits of trust
and how it’s important to let others in. Because of what happened to Carol, Marlin
stopped letting people in. Since meeting Dory, he learned to begin trusting others.

11. What does bildungsroman mean? Bildungsroman is a literary genre that focuses on the
psychological and moral growth of the protagonist from childhood to adulthood