Summary
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...
(This entire section contains 738 words.)
Unlock this Study Guide Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
sentiment resonates with Mortimer's reflections in his 1982 memoir, where he describes the process of writing the play as a transformative experience, one that distanced him from his father even as it immortalized him.
A Unique Contribution to Theatre
Contrasting with many American memory plays, which often blend autobiography with stylized fiction, Mortimer’s work stands out for its grounded, reportorial approach. It functions almost as a personal essay, dramatized with authenticity and fidelity to the past. Despite its divergence in subject matter and form from Mortimer’s other works, A Voyage Round My Father demonstrates his adeptness in crafting a full-length serious play. The play enjoyed critical acclaim, with a successful 501-performance run in London in 1971, later adapted for television in 1982, and continues to be revived to this day.