The Man Child Analysis

Despite the noticeable differences across humanity, there are many attributes of life that are similar. Prominently, there is this sense of dissatisfaction that lies within humans. This is the result of having a high degree of desires and expectations. When desires and expectations are left unfulfilled, a feeling of disappointment and suffering tend to follow. This feeling of disappointment is interrelated with the next occurrence of disappointment. Everything related to life seems to follow this interrelation of cycled events. James Baldwin can be described as a realistic author. His stories build this connection with the reader’s emotions because they convey storylines that are sensually relatable to the hardships humanity faces. In “The
The author deliberately leaves Eric’s father nameless in this story. Alternatively labeling him as a “father”, along with Eric’s description of him, portrays a masculine figure to the reader. In the beginning of the story Eric’s father has everything that a “man” is supposed to have. He is a married white landowner, with a son, Eric, and a baby on the way. Yet, with all his possessions that add to his masculinity, there is still a void of unhappiness sensed. During Jamie’s birthday party, Eric’s father is constantly nagging Jamie essentially causing Jamie to snap. Eric’s father says to Jamie “A man’s not supposed to sit around and mope,” (Baldwin 68). Though, in this story Jamie is delineated as the abusive one by his aggression shown towards his dog, Eric’s father can be reflected upon in the same manner. Yet, there is no evidence of Eric’s father to be physically abusive toward Jamie, verbally he gets quite harsh and does not understand why Jamie gets so emotional during their confrontation. “What’s the matter with me,” says Jamie to Eric’s father, “what the hell do you care what’s the matter with me! What the hell have you been riding me for all day like this? What do you want? What do you want?” (Baldwin 70). This section of the story indicates how bothered Jamie is by Eric’s father’s words. His arrogance towards Jamie suggests his self-disappointment in both himself and Jamie. If Eric’s father is truly content with his life, he would not constantly display this dismay towards Jamie. Unintentionally, Eric’s father’s expression of disappointment and arrogance costs him his masculinity. By killing Eric, Jamie kills Eric’s father’s manhood and haughtiness because Eric symbolic of all his father’s