Redemption (Masterplots II: Short Story Series, Revised Edition)
At a glance:
- Author: John Gardner
- First Published: 1977
- Type of Plot: Domestic realism
- Time of Work: The 1940's
- Setting: New York State
- Principal Characters: Jack Hawthorne, Dale, His mother, Phoebe
- Genres: Short fiction, Domestic realism
- Subjects: Family or family life, United States or Americans, Parents and children, Music or musicians, 1940’s, Brothers, Farms, farmers, or farming, Fathers, Accidents, Death or dying
- Locales: New York
The Story
Twelve-year-old Jack Hawthorne is driving the cultipacker on his father's farm when his seven-year-old brother, David, riding on the back, falls off and is run over and killed. Believing that he could have saved his brother if he had thought clearly, Jack blames himself. His father, Dale, is nearly destroyed by the accident and periodically rides off on his motorcycle, cursing God and himself, contemplating suicide, and seducing women with his tears. Although Dale does not blame Jack consciously, his behavior intensifies Jack's guilt. Dale's actions also increase his...
[The entire page is 1483 words long]
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