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The Symbolism Of The Father In Hugh Garner's The Father

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“The Father” a short story by Hugh Garner presents the protagonist, John Purcell, the father as a selfish, irresponsible, and prejudiced man. During the story when his son Johnny comes downstairs in a pair of flannels and a blazer he seems to show concern as to why Johnny is not wearing his scout uniform, although he is actually concerned as to how this will make him look as a father. As his wife tells him the reason why his son doesn't have the full uniform he wonders angrily “if the scoutmaster thought he was too cheap to buy the boy a uniform” (2).
Even though at first it may seem like he cares about his son's appearance the underlying reason for this is that he cares about how this will make him appear as a father and what others

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