Swordfish

The swordfish, also known as broadbill, is a large, predatory fish that appears in the novel primarily as a valuable commercial species and as a briefly encountered creature during the hunt for the great white shark. Its presence in the narrative underscores the economic realities of fishing and the contrast between ordinary marine life and the extraordinary, man-eating great white.

Commercial Value and Quint's Fishing Practices

Quint, the captain of the charter boat Orca, mentions swordfish as a highly profitable catch. He notes that due to federal regulations concerning mercury levels, commercial fishing for swordfish has declined, making them scarce and therefore worth "two fifty a pound" in Montauk. This economic incentive is part of Quint's broader philosophy of fishing for profit, where he is willing to harpoon any large fish that comes near his boat, including swordfish, to ensure his clients get value for their money. His approach is pragmatic and unsentimental, viewing fish primarily as commodities.

Encounter During the Shark Hunt

During the second day of the hunt for the great white, Quint spots the scythed dorsal fin of a swordfish approaching the boat's chum slick. The men wait silently, hoping the fish will take a bait, but it ignores both squid offerings and cruises aimlessly sixty yards off the stern. Quint attempts to jiggle one of the baits to make it appear alive, but the swordfish remains unimpressed. Deciding to harpoon the fish, Quint turns on the engine and directs Hooper to drive the boat while he stands at the pulpit. The attack pattern is carefully orchestrated: Quint points the harpoon left or right to signal Hooper, who turns the boat until the harpoon is again pointing straight ahead, allowing them to creep up on the fish. However, at the last moment, the swordfish senses the boat's presence, lurches forward, and darts for the bottom. Quint throws the harpoon but misses by six feet. The failed attempt highlights the difficulty of Quint's trade and the elusiveness of even ordinary fish, contrasting with the relentless, aggressive behavior of the great white.

Narrative Significance

The swordfish episode serves multiple narrative functions. It demonstrates Quint's skill and his willingness to pursue any profitable catch, reinforcing his characterization as a hardened, experienced fisherman. The failure to harpoon the swordfish also builds tension and foreshadows the greater challenge posed by the great white, which will not be so easily evaded. Furthermore, the swordfish's behavior—sensing the boat and fleeing—contrasts sharply with the great white's later actions, which include attacking the boat and outsmarting Quint's tactics. The swordfish is a creature of the natural order, following predictable patterns, while the great white is depicted as an anomaly, a "freak" that defies the rules Quint has learned over thirty years. This contrast deepens the sense of the great white as a unique and terrifying antagonist.

Thematic Significance

The swordfish's role in the novel also touches on themes of economic survival and environmental regulation. Quint's comment about the federal mercury ban and the resulting high price for swordfish reflects the real-world economic pressures on fishermen. The novel, set in a declining resort town, is deeply concerned with the struggle for economic survival, and the swordfish represents a potential source of income that is both valuable and increasingly rare. This economic context underscores the desperation that drives Quint and the town to risk their lives in pursuit of the great white, which has already devastated the local economy. The swordfish, as a legitimate and valuable catch, stands in contrast to the destructive, economically ruinous great white.