‘The Goal’ Symbol Analysis: From Ambition to Partnership
What Is “The Goal” as a Symbol?
In Elle Kennedy’s The Goal, the phrase “the goal” operates on multiple levels. Literally, it refers to:
- Sabrina James’s life plan: graduating college, attending Harvard Law School, and landing a high-paying job at a top law firm.
- Tucker’s hockey role: scoring goals or setting up assists for his team.
- The book’s title: signaling that the central conflict involves competing definitions of what a “goal” should be.
Over the course of the novel, the symbol shifts from a rigid, individual objective to a flexible, relational one. By the epilogue, Sabrina redefines her goal not as academic or career success but as “the people I was lucky enough to have in my life” and “love” itself. This transformation mirrors the book’s broader theme of goals versus unexpected change.
Where “the Goal” Appears and How It Changes
1. The Opening: A Fixed Objective
The first chapter introduces Sabrina as a character “with a strict plan to escape her shameful past.” She works two jobs, saves every dollar, and networks with Professor Fromm to secure a Harvard acceptance. Her goal is singular and protective: she believes that if she achieves it, she can leave behind her toxic home life and her stepfather Ray’s cruelty. The chapter’s description of her “strict plan” establishes the goal as a wall against vulnerability.
2. Tucker’s Hockey Mindset: Teamwork and Assists
Tucker’s background in hockey provides a counterpoint. In his internal monologue, he reflects on being a “team player” and the importance of assists. He thinks: “I’m the guy who’s into all that commitment stuff.” His approach to life is collaborative rather than solitary. When he meets Sabrina, he immediately tries to become part of her plan—offering help, showing up at her workplace, and eventually moving to Boston to be near her and the baby. His hockey experience teaches him that the best goals come from passes, not just solo shots. This connects to the theme of vulnerability and trust.
3. The Pregnancy: The Goal Is Disrupted
Sabrina’s unexpected pregnancy forces her to confront the limits of her original goal. She panics not only because of the timing but because the pregnancy represents a loss of control. In Chapter 26, during the ultrasound, she argues with Tucker about learning the baby’s sex. She wants to know (control), while Tucker prefers a surprise. Sabrina wins a rock-paper-scissors game with a creative reinterpretation, signaling that she still tries to maintain a say in the outcomes. Yet the ultrasound—showing a healthy baby girl—marks the first moment she allows herself to feel joy rather than anxiety about the future. The goal begins to soften.
4. Tucker’s Assist: Redefining Success
Tucker’s plan to rent an apartment near Sabrina and his offer to support her despite his own uncertainties exemplify his “assist” mentality. He doesn’t try to take over her dream; he helps her adjust it. In Chapter 27, he shows her the apartment and promises to be present. Later, after a year, his bar is profitable, and he plans a second location—but he still prioritizes Sabrina and their daughter Jamie. His success is measured not by individual glory but by partnership. This aligns with the theme of parenthood and responsibility.
5. Epilogue: The Ultimate Goal
One year later, Sabrina reflects: “My goal, once upon a time, was to succeed. I didn’t realize that success wasn’t grades or scholarships or achievements, but the people I was lucky enough to have in my life.” She explicitly names love as “the ultimate goal.” This is the symbolic resolution: the goal has transformed from a solitary destination into a shared journey. The final lines emphasize that she achieved a more profound fulfillment than the one she originally planned.
Character Connections
| Character | How They Shape “the Goal” |
|---|---|
| Sabrina James | Holds the original rigid goal; later redefines it through love and family. |
| John Tucker | Represents teamwork; uses assists to help Sabrina see a broader goal. |
| Dean Di Laurentis | Warns Tucker that Sabrina will ruin his life; embodies the fear that traditional goals will be derailed. |
| Ray Donaghy | Embodies the shame Sabrina wants to escape; his taunts reinforce her drive for a different life. |
| Joy “Nana” James | A negative influence who reinforces Sabrina’s sense of unworthiness; her presence makes the escape-from-home goal urgent. |
| Beau Maxwell | Sabrina’s brother; more evidence of her past struggle and motivation. |
Theme Connections
- Goals vs. Unexpected Change: The pregnancy is the primary disruption that forces Sabrina to reconsider her plan.
- Class Divide and Economic Mobility: Sabrina’s goal is rooted in escaping poverty; her ability to accept help from Tucker involves overcoming pride.
- Vulnerability and Trust: Letting go of total control requires trusting Tucker.
- Parenthood and Responsibility: The baby becomes a new goal for both characters.
- Redefinition of Success: The epilogue explicitly reframes achievement as love and connection.
Study Questions and Answers
1. How does Sabrina’s idea of “the goal” change from the beginning to the epilogue?
At the start, her goal is a smooth path: graduate, attend Harvard Law, and secure a BigLaw job to leave her past behind. The pregnancy shatters that linear plan. By the epilogue, she realizes that success is not grades or jobs but the people in her life—Tucker, Jamie, and her friends. Love replaces ambition as the ultimate goal.
2. In what ways does Tucker’s hockey background influence his approach to helping Sabrina?
Tucker thinks in terms of assists. He doesn’t try to score alone; he positions himself to help Sabrina achieve her revised dreams. He rents an apartment near her, supports her during law school, and prioritizes family over his own comfort. His value on teamwork directly contrasts with Sabrina’s initial solo determination.
3. What does the ultrasound argument reveal about Sabrina’s need for control?
When Sabrina insists on knowing the baby’s sex, she reveals her continued desire to control outcomes. She wins the rock-paper-scissors game by reinterpreting the rules, showing how far she will go to maintain a sense of agency. Yet the ultrasound also marks her first step toward embracing the unknown—she cries with relief when the baby is healthy.
4. How does the epilogue redefine “success” for Sabrina and Tucker?
The epilogue contrasts Sabrina’s original metric (Harvard Law Review, high salary) with her final understanding: “success wasn’t grades or scholarships or achievements, but the people I was lucky enough to have in my life.” Tucker’s goal—a profitable bar and a loving family—is also portrayed as meaningful. Together, they achieve a shared, relational success.
For further exploration, return to the book’s main page.