Communication Problems in Hugh Garner’s “The Father” Essay

Who is perfect sure non antic Purcel in Hugh Garners short story The Father some a desperate alcoholic give (John Purcel) weighed down to overprotect closer to his watchword (Johnny) who seems to be slowly be adrift away from him. This will be demonstrated by dint of out a series of examples which will fold up the fetchs make happying problem, his neglective attitude towards his son and his low self esteem.Alcohol can look into a persons life and vex them irresponsible which affects their races. John Purcell showed a lose of mind by stopping to assume a drink before he even got home from persist making him late for the pale meeting with his son. His irresponsibleness continued when he met another irresponsible inebriated father at the meeting. When the stranger offered John a drink, he gladly accepted the offer stating youre a lifesaver. Due to his drunkenness, John Purcell humbled his son even further.In a ache of pride and happiness he grasped the boys han d, and facing the audience, held it aloft same a arbitrator signaling the winner of a boxing bout. there was a short burst of embarrassed jest from the tables.His drinking affected his actions and caused his son to be hurt in front of his friends. It is very severe to have a healthy kin with someone when you argon controlled by alcohol.Building good relationships involves time and effort. John Purcell never put any(prenominal) effort into trying to complete his son because most of the time he was too preoccupied with other things to pay ofttimes heed to the boys activities. He never encouraged or supported Johnny and never participated or went to any of his sons events. He did not even know what baseball or swimming team Johnny was on. When the curate, Mr. Redpath, complimented Johnny on his exceptional swimming ability, the father realized that he seemed to know less about the boy than anyone. However, he made the excuse that his son was only a twelve-year-old who wanted t o be left alone. Because the father was so involved in himself, he did not make the time or put frontwards the effort to develop a proper relationship with his son.A person who has low self-esteem finds it difficult to care for others and himself. John Purcell did not know the scout leaders and the other fathers he stereotyped them as being sissies and goons. When he discovered that Johnny did not have the full scout uniform because of lack of money, his first response was Whats the matter with this family in any case? God knows what the neighbours must think of me. What others thought was to a greater extent important to him than his own family. Even though he was cheap with his family, he didnt want others to know about it.He was very insecure which caused him to flavor out of place and unsure of himself. Even when he had made an effort to show an interest in his son, he had been pointedly ignored contributing to a greater extent to his feelings of inadequacy as a father. When one feels like a total failure, it is difficult to have any positive relationships because you are always worried about what others think.In conclusion Johnnys father finally realized he had to change in order to be closer to his son. It would be hard for John Purcell to have a close relationship with his son due to his lack of interest in him, his alcoholism, and his lack of self-esteem. Johns negative temperament dominated his relationships with his son and others.