Water Method Man by John Irving

1135 Words3 Pages

Everyone has their own set of problems, and everyone has their own way of working them out. Some people solve their problems right away, and others procrastinate. Fred Trumper takes a very unusual approach to many of his problems, but then again he leads a very unusual life. Much like Fred "Bogus" Trumper's crooked urinary tract, his troubled life is in dire need of being straightened out as seen in The Water Method Man by John Irving.

`From the very start of the novel, Fred Trumper's crooked urinary tract is mentioned. It is no coincidence that Fred's life is as mixed up as his urinary tract. His urinary problem, much like his lifestyle, only leads to more problems. "Seven times in the last five years I have suffered this unnamable disorder. Once it was the clap, but that's another story" (Irving 12). One problem only leads to another, but the real problem occurs when trying to solve each situation. Fred Trumper always takes the temporary method of fixation rather than the slightly more tedious but effective permanent means. The water method is a perfect example of Trumper's ignorance towards solving situations. The water method would temporarily help Fred's symptoms, but the main problem, his crooked urinary tract, is never corrected.

Fred "Bogus" Trumper's life is in disarray in many ways, one of which is financially. Luckily, he has a friend willing to help him out with a few of his money problems, but the rest he must handle with a sense of creativity. He once says, "I am not so honest" (Irving 16). His dealings with several collection agencies, Humble Oil Co., the gas co., the telephone co., and even a meat market are far from honest. Fred's glory and success in weaseling out of past debts comes in the form of writing letters. In each case he finds something wrong with the company itself, or at least the product, and due to this he claims that it would be morally wrong to pay his bills. Temporarily, his problem is solved, but just like the water method, the real problem is not taken care of. He still has a financial problem, and eventually his bills must be paid. He was, on the other hand, honest with one individual at a certain collection agency when he wrote, "Dear Bobby, Cram it" (Irving 56).

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