Sacrifice In Macleod's The Boat

The text creator suggests that one 's obligations can restrain the pursue of one 's dreams. In Alistair McLeod 's “ The Boat,” McLeod shows the fathers struggle to fulfill his dreams of attending university because of his selfless inclinations. This portrays the father 's boat, which symbolizes the imprisonment he feels because of his duty as a provider. Whenever the father would come home from work, he would put all of his “earnings” on the kitchen table, a demonstration of his constant sacrifices. His job as a fisherman is a necessity for his family as it is their main source of income.

The place that represents Joe’s childhood will covert him into a young man as he changes the tradition. As Joe finally reveals to his father that he wants to go fishing with someone else, his father offers his one true prized possession, his fishing rod by responding; His father said has Bill Harper got a rod? He told his father no Bill hasn’t a rod. Well said his father why don’t you take my rod and let Bill use yours? I don’t want to go fishing anyhow (Trumbo).

He carries on the father-son tradition by bringing his own son out to the lake, experiencing flashbacks to his youth. White lost his sense of self, as he began identifying himself as his son, feeling as though he was back at the lake with his father. This trip changed White’s outlook on life, for he finally realized that mortality was closer than he imagined. He was no longer young, and watching his son mature only made this notion more real. One day, he will be only a memory to his son, just like his father is to him.

Ric Spencer acted as a foreshadowing character. He missed the period or the time when he used to be a lifeguard. Therefore, he was always advising Josh to be careful, because in few seconds bad events can happen and devastate lives’ as the drowning of Billy Mandel. Further, in this story Ric played the principal character by telling stories to Josh to be careful and enjoy the responsibility of a lifeguard. Josh listened to all those advised given to him by the earlier lifeguard.

From experiencing it first hand, to living with it and its consequences, and then finally redeeming himself, his entire life is shaped by one experience. One experience that fills him with remorse. The one bright day of kite running that turns to darkness. As Amir progresses through life trying to redeem himself, Hosseini displays that no matter how grand one’s misconduct is, if he or she truly is looking for redemption it will be achieved. As children, people often act in ways that will please their parents.

Sara is fed up because she is annoyed, frustrated, and mad with aunt Rhea, uncle Ted, and their daughter Andrea. Sara is very annoyed by her family because they always brag about themselves and talk about what they do right and Sara’s family does wrong. In the text Sara says, “ Personally I’ve had enough.” This show that Sara has had enough of them. Also,

To justify his actions Richard claims that in order to change, “ He cannot afford to admire his parents[. ]How could he and still pursue a contrary life?”(341). This painful determination makes Richards relationship with his parents cold and superficial. Hence, Richard cannot even share a simple conversation with his parents for the sake of his success. Moreover, Richard is embarrassed by his parent’s humble background.

The father was married into the traditions of his wife. These traditions consisted of the men in the family constantly working on the family boat as a way of creating revenue.The boat and the traditions held the dad and other members of the family back from an improved future. The dad had to take actions into his own hands in order to insure a future for his son.The text is essential to helping us understand this sacrifice the father made. An example from the text is when the son says to the dad "So I told him one night very resolutely and very powerfully that I would remain with him as long as he lived and we would fish the sea together" the father then replied saying "I hope you will remember what you've said. "(pg.11 Alistair MacLeod) That statement is important as the story draws to an end because in order to ensure a fulfilled future for his son the dad had to die as is shown in the last paragraph, "but neither is it easy to know that your father was found on November twenty-eighth ten miles to the north and wedged between two boulders at the base of the rock stern cliffs where he had been hurdled and slammed so many many times.

Shaving, Leslie Norris Leslie Norris’s short story “Shaving” is a prime example of a coming-of-age tale that analyzes the importance of life, and the prioritizing of life decisions. Norris forces the reader to connect with Barry the protagonist, on the deepest levels of human emotion. Barry is a charismatic young man who has shown an abundance of maturity as his hopelessly ill father slowly slips away. Barry’s growth from a young adolescent to the patriarch of his family has taught him responsibilities of being a leader in not just his household, but with his friends. Barry’s willingness to become the patriarch of the family is illustrated through characterization, contrast, and symbolism.

Katie Nolan, Francie's mother, is consistently filled with dread. She works all the time to support the family and her alcoholic husband. She realizes that she has settled by marrying Johnny Nolan and dreams of a day when he is no longer is in the picture. She wishes her husband dead ''He's worthless, worthless. And God forgive me for ever finding it out'' (Smith 205) and her contempt for life has a direct impact on her relationship with her daughter Francie.