Navigating Early

“The first time you see the ocean is supposed to be either exhilarating or terrifying. I wish I could say it was one of those for me. I just threw up, right there on the rocky shore.”

The first time Jack sees the ocean, he throws up. The ocean, particularly for Jack, symbolizes the unknown and the new, representing his move to Maine and his grief over his mother’s death. Significantly, the first time Jack sees the ocean is also when he first sees Early, who will become his “navigator” of the water and his new circumstances in Maine and life.

“What is the holy grail of mathematics? Something that is so mysterious as to be considered by many almost miraculous. Something woven throughout the world of mathematics. A number that is nothing less than never-ending. Eternal.”

Mr. Blane presents the number pi as the holy grail of mathematics and equates Dr. Stanton’s attempt to prove that it is ending as a quest. This foreshadows the quest that Jack and Early will embark upon shortly later, which is also inspired by pi: Early sees Parallels and Connections With Pi’s story, which he reads in the digits of the number, and Fisher’s journey; thus, he attempts to find “Pi,” believing it will lead him to Fisher.

“She pointed to the little bear’s bright light. ‘That star will be my Polaris. But’—his mother pointed to a larger group of stars—’the little bear has a mother. The Great Bear. […] And a mother’s love is fierce. The Great Bear will watch over you.’”

Pi’s mother points out the Great Bear constellation and asks Pi to use it as guidance. Her assertion that the Great Bear is a mother whose love will prove protective is symbolic at multiple levels: Early searches for the big bear on the Appalachian Trail, his interpretation of the Great Bear, which ultimately does come to the boys’ rescue.