Finding One’s Father: A Journey to Acceptance Can a man who raises a child, with no biological connection, be more impactful than the sharing of genes? In the novel Medicine Walk, Bunky tells Frank, the child he’s responsible for, “I’m raisin’ you. Teachin’ you.but I love you. That’s a straight fact,” (Wagamese, 59) when questioned by Frank on who his real father is. The novel plays with the theme of what creates a true father-son relationship. The author, Richard Wagamese, demonstrates how the concept of fatherhood ultimately comes down to commitment, consistency, patience, and trust. Frank’s biological father, Eldon, proves he is incapable of raising him, while Bunky steps into the role and cares for him throughout his childhood. He teaches …show more content…
Eldon is a complete stranger to him, while Bunky continually shows up as a father figure to Frank. Bunky steps up to the job of raising Frank, the day Eldon shows up at his door with a one-week-old baby. He barely hesitates, saying, “I’ll do it”. Not for you. For him and for her. He’ll be my responsibility.not yours. Not ever” (Wagamese, 229). The love Bunky feels for Frank’s mother, Angie, has him commit to her son, disregarding that she has an affair and dies in childbirth. Eldon’s story reveals that Bunky and Angie were together first. Bunky does not get caught up in the fact that Frank and him are not blood related, even with the messy background of how Frank came to be. From the day Frank is dropped off by Eldon, Bunky embraces him as a son. Frank eventually starts to recognize the obvious, that Bunky is not Ojibway, like himself. Bunky knows he cannot speak to Frank’s culture like a biological relative may be able to, but does know he can raise him right, “I can’t teach you nothing about bein’ who you are Frank. All that’s I can show you is how to be a good person. A good man” (Wagamese, …show more content…
There is now peace in his life and space for a new appreciation of his relationship with Bunky. Even after Eldon’s hard life stories are shared, Frank feels his most impactful life lessons come out of his relationship with Bunky. “When he thought of the word father, he could only ever imagine the old man” (Wagamese, 27). Although Bunky never blatantly states that he is his father, it is felt throughout Frank’s life. His longing search for whatever is missing from his life, concludes with the fact that he has it the whole time, a loving father. Richard Wagamese’s novel Medicine Walk displays how fatherhood comes down to who shows up with consistency, commitment, patience and trust. Although Eldon is Frank’s biological dad, and does finally create compassion and understanding in Frank, from his own hard life story, it is Bunky who steps in. He raises him and teaches lessons along the way, not just for a period of time. After reflecting on his relationship with both men, Frank is able to accept Bunky, as his most impactful male mentor, “You were my father all these years” (Wagamese,
The chapter “A Fathers Influence” is constructed with several techniques including selection of detail, choice of language, characterization, structure and writers point of view to reveal Blackburn’s values of social acceptance, parenting, family love, and a father’s influence. Consequently revealing her attitude that a child’s upbringing and there parents influence alter the characterization of a child significantly.
No father is perfect. Every father has his own strengths and weaknesses. Each father shows his love for his children in different ways and at times, well hidden, at other times, obvious. In Chaim Potok’s thought-provoking book, The Chosen, three fathers named David Malter, Reb Saunders, and Roger Merrit appear in the story. Each one of them shows the striking differences among the ways they raise their children. Just because one father’s way of rearing up a child seems different from another’s does not necessarily mean it is wrong. In their own unique ways, all three fathers show the importance of fulfilling the role as a father.
A father’s story by Andre Dubus is a powerful piece of literature. The two lessons that Andre Dubus taught me are the questions people have with their faith and the church, and Fathers special kind of love for their daughters. Luke decided to not rat out his daughter because he did not want her to go to jail. Could you imagine being in Luke’s situation in the story? Luke knows the right thing to do is to turn in his daughter but his unconditional love for her changes his mind. Lastly the author had doubts about the Church and faith. You can tell by his writings that he did not agree with everything that the church presented. The author believes in God but it sounds as if he thinks it is ok to sin sometimes. Jesus never had a daughter so the author thinks that God could not understand this.
The novel “The Chrysalids” by John Wyndham is about a boy named David who grows up in the oppressive society of Waknuk where changes are not accepted. Through Uncle Axel and his father, Joseph Strorm, he learns about the ignorance of human nature. This helps to guide him through life and develop his maturity. Hence, the author conveys that a father figure is an essential part of development in a child’s life.
The role of a father could be a difficult task when raising a son. The ideal relationship between father and son perhaps may be; the father sets the rules and the son obeys them respectfully. However it is quite difficult to balance a healthy relationship between father and son, because of what a father expects from his son. For instance in the narratives, “Death of a Salesman,” and “Fences” both Willy and Troy are fathers who have a difficult time in earning respect from their sons, and being a role model for them. Between, “Death of a Salesman,” and “Fences,” both protagonists, Willy and Troy both depict the role of a father in distinctive ways; however, in their struggle, Willy is the more sympathetic of the two.
Dad Weakness and Stents Christopher’s mommy and daddy have departed for every extended time. Christopher's father known as ED has been doing such a delightful job taking good care of his child ever since he was his youngster. When years came by, Christopher happened to lose confidence and trust in his daddy because daddy has been dishonest to Christopher. This book is so-called The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. This paper contains three literary elements.
This father not only provides for his son, but also goes above and beyond to cater to his wants as well. “When the rooms were warm, he’d call” (Hayden, 7) is an example of the many things this father does for his son. He wakes up early in the morning, starts a fire to warm the house, and then when the house is warm enough for comfort, he wakes the son. Despite all the father does for his son, “No one ever thanked him” (Hayden, 5). The love of a parent to a child is unconditional, however, in some situations there is no relationship between the two. In this case, the love this father has for his son endures an uneasy relationship. The son is very indifferent and unappreciative of the father and instead of the relationship suffering, the fathers love endures the emotional abuse and continues to care for him and accommodate to his happiness. As a father, he puts his son before himself and undergoes the
After reading A Child Called It, I think that it is a tearjerker and a heart felt story about a child abuse case that took place in Daly City, California. This book is about a little boy named David and his abusive situation that he is in but this book is a twist! David does not just start out with a bad situation, at first his family was like any other family loving, caring, sweet and awesome memories and fun times with his mom and dad and brothers, he even refers to his family as the “Brady Bunch”(Pelzer 17). His mother was a stay at home mom from my viewpoint and his dad was a firefighter. The mom was like me on being a clean person, she was a good mother and took the kids on trips and like most moms even had a garden. He also mentioned that she was a fabulous cook and made amazing meals and loved the holidays as well. She was the typical mom. One day her relationship with David changed dramatically for the worst. The first time he got punished he was put in the corner. Her voice changed from the nurturing mother they knew to one of a wicked witch (Pelzer30). She moved on from putting David in the corner to smashing his face against a mirror and made him repeat, “I’m a bad boy! I’m a bad boy!” (Pelzer 31) She sent him on searches to find things around the house that she had misplaced. She was also a different person around his father; she did not beat him, yell, or punish him. She hurt his arm terribly one day while punishing him, popping it out of place. She burnt him on the stove holding his arm over a flame! (Pelzer 41) One thing his mother loved to do was the “Gas Chamber”. David’s mom would lock him up in the bathroom while he cleaned and put a bucket of mixed up cleaning ingredients/s...
In life, there are many decisions that everyone must make. And with decision-making comes consequences, some that we are ready for , and some that we may not be ready for. The author of ' The Man Who Was Almost a Man,' Richard Wright, portrays a young man who wants to be a man, but shows that he is clearly unprepared for manhood and the consequences that come with that responsibility. Through decision making based on self interest, wanting to gain respect from his family, and wanting to prove his dignity, Richard Wright brings forth the main character, Dave, a seventeen year old boy, whose actions show that he is only 'almost a man.'
In his 1971 paper “Personal Identity”, Derek Parfit posits that it is possible and indeed desirable to free important questions from presuppositions about personal identity without losing all that matters. In working out how to do so, Parfit comes to the conclusion that “the question about identity has no importance” (Parfit, 1971, p. 4.2:3). In this essay, I will attempt to show that Parfit’s thesis is a valid one, with positive implications for human behaviour. The first section of the essay will examine the thesis in further detail and the second will assess how Parfit’s claims fare in the face of criticism.
“Parenting by the book” was an incredible read because was written to inspire and empower the parents to raise well-mannered and courteous children; of competence and character, children whose decisions are consistent with the fundamental teachings of Christian morality. The book talks about biblical wisdom for parents raising their children. The author and family psychologist, John Rosemond, describes raising children using biblical principles to raise children. The Bible tells us how to raise a child and, people were using this model - even if they weren 't Christian- to raise children, and they have turned out to be hard working, respectful people, not like people today who were raised with a different model and can 't seem to survive on their own. Rosemond was very clear with his principles, he goes on to say that children today are so much worse than 30 or 40 years ago- because parents are made to feel guilty for "hurting a child 's feeling" or "not bonding effectively" or worse yet, "disciplining" our
In Andrew Solomon’s, Far from a Tree, the author explains the identity of children and why it can be difficult for parents to understand their child. A child is passed on different physical traits because of genetics. When a parent looks at their child, Solomon states the parents, “often see themselves,” and will surround the child with the type of environment they prefer. However, even though the child is raised in an environment chosen by the parents, their emotional identity branches out and the child grows to be independent. Solomon describes how the relationship between the parent and the child may at times be difficult when the parent is unable to understand their child.
As Franklin grapples with the weight of his obligations, he confronts truths belonging to sacrifice and the power of reconciliation. The topic of redemption goes beyond the relationship between Franklin and his father, connecting to the old man, also known as Bunky. Bunky’s strong priority of forgiveness was displayed throughout the novel, within several factors. His character's level headedness, as well as his ability to prioritize the well being of others. Bunky took Franklin under his care, and raised him since Eldon was struck by alcoholism.
The disconnect between the father, and his child is a situation that readers can learn from without having to experience. Even if readers do not have children, they learn that if you have experienced adversities in life, it is helpful to share those lessons with anyone, children or not. The benefit of sharing life experiences illustrates to people that they have overcome life’s shortcomings and so can others. The characters within the novel face a slew of discrimination; however, they did not coach and teach their children how to deal. The importance of communication and sharing life lessons is what readers learn.
in Two-Parent Families. In M.E. Lamb (Ed.). The role of the father in child development