Dysfunctional Families in Canadian Short Stories

A detailed Summary of Dysfunctional Families in Canadian Short Stories

Dysfunctional family relationships form the basis of many Canadian short stories. Often,

tragedy is the end result of severe family breakdown. In other cases, personality defects

are directly traceable to poor family dynamics. In the stories "Hurt", "Fall of a City",

and "The Sound of Hollyhocks" there were very profound family problems.

The difficulty in the father/son relationship in "Hurt" reflects a role reversal. Even though

Stevie is only a young boy, he took care of himself and his father. Stevie made his own

meals and when his father was inebriated, he "...went down to the store and got him a

couple bottles of vanilla to sober up on." (pg. 195) In a family situation a young child

such as Stevie should not have the responsibility of taking care of his parent. Moreover,

even when Stevie's father was sober, Stevie could do whatever he liked without

consequence. Skip described such a freedom when he said that "Stevie went to school

when he wanted to go..." (pg. 193) This lack of rules or an authority figure demonstrates

the dysfunctionality of this family. Also, Stevie's father was a violent alcoholic. Skip

observed that somedays Stevie's father would be "...pounding on the walls with his fis

home so she can dominate him more easily. This need to control her son indicates the

Sound of Hollyhocks". The reality of such relationships make the stories more interesting,

with her son more problematic. Thirdly, Rock does not want to live with his mother.

over him. (pg. 18) His words and actions reveal his abhorrence of his mother and thus

"Fall of a City" depicts the dysfunctional relationship between Teddy and his guardians.

This demonstrates his lack of affection for her and his fear of her power over him. His

Approximate Word count = 877
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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