The Consequences Of Choice In The Father By Hugh Garner
Relationships Consequences of Choice
Everyday choices identify our character and have lasting impacts on the relationships experienced with one another. Choice is the determining factor that results in decision making, and ultimately is what leads to all our behaviors and actions. In the story "The Father" by Hugh Garner, he develops the idea that a father's choice of actions toward his son can inadvertently cause discomfort, resulting in an ineffective relationship. The initial choices made by an individual greatly influence their future state of affairs.
In this story, the son, Johnny, is "too shy to ask his own father" (Garner 65) if he would go to a scout meeting with him. The fact that he was too shy to ask for himself shows that
a barrier had been built between father and son. This was most likely a result of the father's neglecting his son. John, the father actually "knew that most of the time he was too preoccupied with other things to pay much attention to the boy's activities" (66), which becomes evident later on, when he cannot recall the name of his son' baseball team, or even the position which his son plays. His lack of interest in his son is shown when he had been called to the school in order to discuss his son's poor marks in reading. "When the teacher had suggested keeping the boy in the same grade for a second year, he had acquiesced willingly, wanting only to get away from the place. The boy had looked up at him, bit his lower lip, and had left the principal's office. From then on their distance from one another was greater than ever." (66)
Later on in the story, when the father and son arrive at the boy's scout meeting, they are greeted by one of the scout leaders. When he acknowledges Johnny's exceptional swimming ability, the father dishonestly agrees; he actually has no idea. "Though he was aware that the boy had been going two nights a week to a neighborhood high school pool, he had never thought of him being an exceptional swimmer. He seemed to know less about the boy than anyone." (69) Also, as the meeting continues, the boy strays away from his father and joins the company of other boys and their fathers. The fact that he is more comfortable around others than with his father reveals that their relationship is challenged. John recalls other past times when his son had virtually ignored him, and realizes that the boy is possibly ashamed of him.
As the evening continues, the father begins to be irritated by the speeches made by fathers about their various adventures experienced while spending time with their sons. After sharing a few drinks with another man during the intermission, his actions become even more embarrassing, giving the boy an even more valid reason for being ashamed of him. The father eventually makes a scene in front of everyone, and ironically is avoided and ignored by most of the audience. "He turned to wink at his son to show that everything had turned out alright after all. The boy was sobbing silently, his thin shoulders shuddering beneath his blazer." (75) The father realizes the inappropriateness of his actions, and is the first one out of the hall when the program ends. He confronts his son and attempts to apologize, but is rejected and the boy runs down the street ahead of him. The father is left alone, forced to realize the mistakes he had made not only at the meeting, but throughout his life.
Actions, chosen early in life, have directly impacted their father-son relationship, and it is those choices that caused such feelings between each other. Their unsuccessful relationship was a direct result of the father's reluctance to be a companion and mentor to his son. To establish a mutually fulfilling relationship, the father must make an honest effort to show more attention to his son's activities, spending more quality time in bonding, and making his son an important part of his life.
Everyday choices identify our character and have lasting impacts on the relationships experienced with one another. Choice is the determining factor that results in decision making, and ultimately is what leads to all our behaviors and actions. In the story "The Father" by Hugh Garner, he develops the idea that a father's choice of actions toward his son can inadvertently cause discomfort, resulting in an ineffective relationship. The initial choices made by an individual greatly influence their future state of affairs.
In this story, the son, Johnny, is "too shy to ask his own father" (Garner 65) if he would go to a scout meeting with him. The fact that he was too shy to ask for himself shows that
a barrier had been built between father and son. This was most likely a result of the father's neglecting his son. John, the father actually "knew that most of the time he was too preoccupied with other things to pay much attention to the boy's activities" (66), which becomes evident later on, when he cannot recall the name of his son' baseball team, or even the position which his son plays. His lack of interest in his son is shown when he had been called to the school in order to discuss his son's poor marks in reading. "When the teacher had suggested keeping the boy in the same grade for a second year, he had acquiesced willingly, wanting only to get away from the place. The boy had looked up at him, bit his lower lip, and had left the principal's office. From then on their distance from one another was greater than ever." (66)
Later on in the story, when the father and son arrive at the boy's scout meeting, they are greeted by one of the scout leaders. When he acknowledges Johnny's exceptional swimming ability, the father dishonestly agrees; he actually has no idea. "Though he was aware that the boy had been going two nights a week to a neighborhood high school pool, he had never thought of him being an exceptional swimmer. He seemed to know less about the boy than anyone." (69) Also, as the meeting continues, the boy strays away from his father and joins the company of other boys and their fathers. The fact that he is more comfortable around others than with his father reveals that their relationship is challenged. John recalls other past times when his son had virtually ignored him, and realizes that the boy is possibly ashamed of him.
As the evening continues, the father begins to be irritated by the speeches made by fathers about their various adventures experienced while spending time with their sons. After sharing a few drinks with another man during the intermission, his actions become even more embarrassing, giving the boy an even more valid reason for being ashamed of him. The father eventually makes a scene in front of everyone, and ironically is avoided and ignored by most of the audience. "He turned to wink at his son to show that everything had turned out alright after all. The boy was sobbing silently, his thin shoulders shuddering beneath his blazer." (75) The father realizes the inappropriateness of his actions, and is the first one out of the hall when the program ends. He confronts his son and attempts to apologize, but is rejected and the boy runs down the street ahead of him. The father is left alone, forced to realize the mistakes he had made not only at the meeting, but throughout his life.
Actions, chosen early in life, have directly impacted their father-son relationship, and it is those choices that caused such feelings between each other. Their unsuccessful relationship was a direct result of the father's reluctance to be a companion and mentor to his son. To establish a mutually fulfilling relationship, the father must make an honest effort to show more attention to his son's activities, spending more quality time in bonding, and making his son an important part of his life.