'Closed Communication In Nancy Werlin's Double Helix'

Eli and his fathers relationship changes overtime, does it get better or worse? In this story Eli and his dad are constantly arguing and cannot seem to have a normal conversation. Also a main argument is that Jonathan wants Eli to go to college but Eli doesn’t want to go. Eli and his fathers relationship can get better but they both have to try and make it better. In Nancy Werlin’s Double Helix, Eli and Jonathan Samuels are not pleased with there ugly relationship, which creates a negative and closed communication between them, until the mourning process of their mother’s death unifies them.
Eli Samuels and his father are not communicating with their feelings in mind; therefore, they do not build a bond or connection with each other. Eli did not apply anywhere for college and wants to help his dad with finances, so he is debating on taking a job with Wyatt Transgenics. Eli Uttered, “ I need a job. This is as good a job as I could hope to find” (58). In the recent quote the words “ This is as good a job as I could hope to find” stick out because Eli is trying to tell his father that this is a great job but Jonathan hasn’t told Eli yet about what is bad about it. This is an example of closed communication because Jonathan is not telling Eli everything he should k Jonathan was saying to

Eli he very much so wants him to attend college next year, but, Eli never told his father he did not apply anywhere yet which is another great example of a closed communication they share. Jonathan stated, “ I still think you should go to college in September” (58).
Analysis: The words “ I still think” and “go to college” are important phrases because they have at first a good conversation about Eli’s future but turns into an argument. This is another example of negative communication that Eli and his father must fix. Now the hatred Jonathan has for Eli taking the job at Wyatt Transgenics has gotten worse, and Jonathan is trying to stop Eli from working there. Jonathan exclaimed with anger, “I am simply asking you to quit that job and do something else. Anything else” (60). In the last quote the words “quit that job” and“ do anything else” Jonathan is obviously crazy about Eli not taking the job but by Jonathan not telling Eli the reason why, Eli takes the job anyways. Then by Jonathan not telling Eli the whole story Eli takes the job anyways thinking it’s for the best.
Jonathan does not want Eli to work at Wyatt Transgenics; although Eli does start working there, but some of the cause is because the have a negative and closed communication.

Eli and Jonathan were practicing closed and negative communication but Eli’s mother passing away will help further their relationship get better.

Eli and his father’s relationship started to get better during the memorial service when they comforted each other about Elis mom dying. Eli said, “ Dad are you ok” (140)? The words “dad” and “you ok” stand out because it’s showing that Eli cares about his father. They both have a conversation that helps their relationship. As Jonathan starts to take out his wife’s thing he just keeps unboxing items and can’t mentally stop as part of his mourning process. Jonathan uttered sadly, “ I’m sorry. I’ve made a mess. I just… couldn’t stop”

(160).
“I’m sorry” and “I couldn’t stop” both are phrases that stand out mostly because they talk about there feeling without getting in an argument. When Eli and his Father look at there mothers old positions they come to relies they can not give any of it away. Jonathan exclaimed with sadness, “ I can’t give it all away. We’ll pack it up again, after I’ve looked at everything, and we’ll put it back” (162). In the last quote the words “I cant give it all away” show that Eli and his father long for their mother. At this stage of the book their relationship starts to get better as the mourning process brings them together.
Eli and his Father connected a few times, but the death of Eli mother will also help them connect and share a stronger bond.
Ultimately in Nancy Werlins, Double helix Eli and his father have a rough relationship, which they are trying to fix, until the death of their mother, which creates a stronger bond between them. One main point is that Jonathan wants Eli to go to school but Eli does not want to and they do not talk about it. When they do not talk about it they are not communicating, which also is closed commuication. Another point is that Jonathan does not want Eli to work for Dr. Wyatt but Eli does not know what his father knows about him. If they would talk about why Dr. Wyatt is a nasty man then Eli would not take the job. Sense Eli has created a strong relationship with his father; he now needs to do the same with his newly discovered siblings.