Father And Farther Literary Devices

In Reservation Blues by Sherman Alexie, the song “Father and Farther” in Chapter 4 is an anecdote that sets the theme of family relationships by using literary devices such as metaphors and foreshadowing. None of the main characters had comfortable relationships with their families. Thomas ‘s father and Chess and Checker’s father are both alcoholics. Junior and Victor’s parents died when they are young. The author’s witty metaphor, “Sometimes, father, you and I/ Are like a three-legged horse/Who can’t get across the finish line,” frames the theme of growing emotional distance with families and emphasized the lack of family in each of the character’s life(Pg92). Another theme that this song touches on is alcoholism. When the author describes, “Sometimes, father, you and I/ Are like two drunks/Who spent their whole lives in bars,” he alludes on the theme of alcoholism, which occurs throughout the story and is a constant problem for Indians on the reservation as it is an inheritable disease that is passed down from father to son (Pg93).

A good example of alcoholism passing from father to son in Victor, who is influenced by his father on his attitude towards alcohol.

The themes of family relationships and alcoholism intertwined in this song and related to each of the main characters personally. Checker and Chess’s father drifted farther apart from them because of alcoholism. Thomas’s relationship with his father was also weakened since his dad is constantly drunk and missing. Junior and Victor lacked a family who cared for them for most of their lives. When they faced setbacks, they had no one to comfort them, thus they turned themselves to the bottle for solace. The themes of family relationships and alcoholism which connected to each character personally was introduced in the beginning chapter. The opening songs provided more context on the themes and how they relate to each of the

characters.
As I was reading this song, I felt a strong personal connection to the main characters and reflected back on my experiences with my childhood friend. It was a cold December Morning, and I stood on the side of a street with my childhood friend Jeff, whom I hadn’t seen for a long time. The smell of cigarettes and alcohol surrounded me, and urged me to bolt. The cold wind rushed against my face and turned my exhaling breath into smoke. I tried to get rid of those thoughts in my mind as I listened to his words. It felt weird to talk like this, to talk like two strangers talking on the street in the noisy city.
“School hasn’t been going well for me. The classes can go to hell.” Jeff said, “I’m living the life I want to have. What about you? I haven’t seen you forever.” I didn’t know what to respond. We hadn’t been talking a lot and there were not a lot of common topic we could talk about. We used to be close childhood friends, but as I went to U.S. for junior boarding school, the emotional common ground eroded and the trajectory of our lives became more and more separate.
“I’m doing good.” I said. A long, awkward silence followed my response. Both of us stood there, not knowing what to say. In my head, I remembered the adventures we had in my childhood. It was a hot, humid summer day in my city in China. I raced out the door, ignoring my mother’s questions of where I was going and what I will be doing. Jeff was waiting impatiently outside the building of my apartment. “Let’s go!” Jeff exclaimed, “I have something to show you!” We came to a stop at a lake. “I found this place yesterday. Let’s swim!” Jeff said in joy and excitement. Jeff always had a thing for exploring, as he spends his free time constantly roaming around the neighborhood, looking for new places to play. After swimming, we decided to catch fish. Jeff and I stood in the shallow waters of the lake, with water coming up to our waist, and were determined to catch a fish. I spotted one right next to my ankles, and leaned down to grab it. However, it wriggled away from my grasp into freedom. We spent the rest of the day trying to catch a fish but we didn’t succeed.
“So, how’s life going for you? How are your parents?” I asked him, who was leaning on the fences, staring straight down the road. “I mean I like my life. I don’t have to go to school. My parents don’t give a crap about me anyways.” Jeff said, while kicking a rock away. Jeff always lacked a family in his life, as his father and mother were constantly away on business trips, burying themselves in work. The only family he ever had is his sister. He didn’t have a lot of family support whenever he faced a setback. No one compliments him on the good grades he got.
“Why did you drop out of school?” I asked, desperately wanting to know the answer, “What do you do now?” “I don’t know. I guess for a number of reasons. I just felt like it. My parents couldn’t care less anyways. I thought maybe they will because of this.” He responded with regret, “But it’s all fine. I just spend the days roaming around and doing stuff. Alcohol is a good way to deal with stuff.” After catching up for a while, we went on our separate ways.
All in all, the song “Father and Farther” talks about the family relationships and how distant and weak it is. I yearn for my relationship with Jeff, just like the Tomas, Chess and Checkers in Reservation Blues, who desire to help their close friends but don’t know how to