The Boat

In "The Boat," the family's fishing vessel, named Jenny Lynn, is a symbol of the "constancy" of traditions across generations and of the importance of the sea for traditional fishing towns and hamlets.The singing shows a deep connection with roots and tradition.

For characters who have left Cape Breton, traditional Gaelic ballads and laments often serve as moving reminders of the heritage and of the struggles of their forefathers. These include the hardships of mining and fishing, as well as the ruggedness of the landscape.

Music also symbolizes decaying lifestyles and occupations. Just as traditional occupations of fishing and mining are increasingly disregarded and scorned by the new generations, so too are Gaelic song and the Gaelic language.