The Symbolism Of The Waves

Question 1

‘Shivered’
Eventually he sat down to wait in the warmer shallows.
‘Further out, Michael whooped and rode the breakers

Answer 1

Once he suggested that they go for a swim at night, Neil ‘shivered’ in the cold sea before moving ‘into the warmer shallows’. He is tentative (hesitant and feeling his way by trial and error) and only partially on his way to confidence, in contrast to michael.