Question

What is the relationship between the father and son in "The Fly in the Ointment"?

Accepted Answer

The father-son relationship in V.S. Pritchett "The Fly in the Ointment" is conflicting because it is hindered by several things: a) the financial problems of, both, the father and the son; b) the father's tendency to emasculate and humiliate the son, c) the son's own sense of inadequacy as a result of his father's abbrasice and verbally-abusive behavior. This abusive behavior consists mainly on making the son feel lesser due to his choice of career.

Come in, Professor," said the father. This was an old family joke. He despised his son, who was, in fact, not a professor but a poorly paid lecturer at a provincial university.

In many ways, we could say that the relationship has come to a point where the son has become used to "walk on eggshells", that is, that he is consistently nervous about causing a reaction on his father. He is always worried about antagonizing with his father. He has a sense of loyalty, which is the reason why he comes to his father's aid when money runs low and he finds himself in the position to help a bit. However, what seems to still keep them connected is the fact that, as with every dysfunctional family, the negative attention and negative feedback of an already negative situation become the norm, rather than the exception.

Answer

The relationship between father and son is troubled, certainly, as the father often seems to say too much while Harold, the son, holds his tongue and tries to keep his patience. Harold tries to speak gingerly to his father to avoid saying things that might offend the older man, working out "the most tactful and sympathetic word to use" before he speaks. However, his father certainly does not employ this same tact and care when addressing his son.
His "warm voice" often goes "dead and rancorous" when speaking, and it even seems as though another, smaller face emerges from the softer, warmer, and larger one. He criticizes his son for going so bald—as though there were something he could do about it—harping on it and insisting Harold fix it somehow.
Meanwhile, though his father cannot seem to hold his tongue—or, more likely, he simply does not care to—Harold holds back quite a lot in order to keep the (tenuous) peace between them:

“For heaven’s sake,” he wanted to shout,...

(The entire section contains 3 answers and 836 words.)

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Harold is well aware of his father's flaws, much greater ones than having the audacity to go bald, which seem to include unethical and even illegal business practices. Then, when Harold offers what little financial help he can—a generous and compassionate move—his father fails to recognize the good-will gesture and focuses only on the fact that his son has access to money of which he was never aware.
It's as though everything his father has said about not wanting money anymore was all a lie, or only true when he thought there was no more money to be had, and then he treats his son like some unwitting schlub that he can bilk out of his cash. It seems that his father is willing to swindle Harold just as he has swindled others. Harold, however, seems too wise for that.

Answer

The relationship between Harold and his father is not what you might call warm and loving. It's abundantly clear from the start that father and son inhabit two entirely separate worlds, each with their own distinct values. The only nexus that binds them together in any way—apart from blood—is money, and as we shall see later on in the story, even that turns out to be a pretty tenuous link.
Nonetheless, there's still a certain residual loyalty on Harold's part, which, although not reciprocated by his father, is no less real for that. Harold didn't have to offer to help out his old man. Nor did he have to turn up to see him on his last day at the factory. But he did. And the fact that he did suggests that, for all the lack of obvious warmth between the two, Harold at least still cares for his father.
As for Harold's father he seems rather selfish, more concerned about his hurt feelings that anything else. The collapse of his business is a severe blow to his pride; he takes it personally. So when Harold offers to help him out financially, he doesn't express the slightest gratitude; he simply wants to know how soon Harold can raise the money. In rescuing the business he will be rescuing himself, and in the final analysis, that's all that really matters to Harold's father.

The Fly in the Ointment Questions and Answers
by V. S. Pritchett

What is the relationship between the father and son in "The Fly in the Ointment"?

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