A Voyage Round My Father is a poignant autobiographical play that marries memory with drama, drawing a vivid portrait of a complex father-son relationship. Through a series of chronological episodes spanning over two decades, the narrative stitches together past and present, offering a reflective journey that is as much about discovery as it is about reminiscence. The play is a heartfelt tribute by Mortimer to his father, a man shrouded in emotional distance and enigmatic detachment, yet lovingly revered.

The Structure and Style

The narrative unfolds through the lens of a reflective narrator who serves as both participant and observer, linking the past with the present. This dual role enables the narrator, portrayed in different stages of life, to seamlessly blend personal experiences with broader reflections, thereby facilitating a deeper understanding of the family dynamics at play. At its core, the narrative explores the paradoxical relationship between the son and his father, a blind barrister who maintains an emotional distance from those around him. This emotional barrier is deftly symbolized through the father's blindness and his perception of life as a strategic game, making true intimacy elusive.

Beginning of the Journey

The play opens with an evocative scene where the father asks his adult son to describe their family garden—an allegorical space reflecting the nature of their relationship. As the son transitions into the role of the narrator, he provides the audience with a tapestry of family memories, setting the stage for a nostalgic journey into the past. The narrative then delves into formative episodes from the son's youth, at home and in school, highlighting milestones that shape his character and worldview.

Professional Choices and Influences

As the son approaches a crucial juncture in life—choosing a profession—his father sways him towards the law, despite harboring a cynical view of the profession. The father's rationale is pragmatic, suggesting law will afford the son ample time for his true passion: writing. This advice plays a pivotal role in the son’s career path, as he eventually finds himself working in a wartime propaganda unit, a role bypassing direct military service. It is during this period that he encounters and falls for a married woman, whose subsequent divorce paves the way for their marriage and his eventual return to a legal career.

The Legal and Artistic Journey

Upon becoming a barrister, the son continues to grapple with the inadequacies of his income from divorce cases. To bridge this gap, he takes on part-time work at a legal aid society and embarks on his journey as a playwright. This dual path is undergirded by the skills imparted by his father, particularly the art of cross-examination, which he utilizes to secure a significant legal victory. However, the moral implications of the case leave him reflective, mirroring his father's own detachment and ambivalence towards the truth. The son’s realization of his likeness to his father is encapsulated in his poignant observation: “He had no message. I think he had no belief. He was the advocate who can take the side that comes to him first and always discover words to anger his opponent.”

Conclusion and Reflection

The play's final act poignantly captures the decline of both the garden and the father, symbolizing the end of an era. As the father passes away, the narrator conveys a sense of unresolved emotion and isolation: “I’d been told of all the things you’re meant to feel. Sudden freedom, growing up, the end of dependence, the step into the sunlight when no one is taller than you and you’re in no one else’s shadow. I know what I felt. Lonely.” This...