Pathos In The Short Story Reunion

The short story “Reunion” describes the last meeting between a son and his father. It incorporates humor, pathos, and grotesque in a blend that leaves readers unsure of the character of the father, and whether or not the boy is better off with or without him. The story begins when the father and son, Charlie, meet, 3 years after Charlie’s parents had divorced. Here, the author uses pathos—describing Charlie’s excitement and pleasure being both with his father and related to him. He describes sniffing his father “the way [his] mother sniffs a rose”, referencing his mother early on and hinting that she is his only true guardian. The author then appeals to emotions by repeating the same idea—wanting “some record of [them] having been together”—3