The world we live in is constantly changing, and so all the people do. But there are some problems that always remain the same for many generations. One of such problems is generation gap. It is interesting and sad how people who have one blood fail to understand each other. It is not only about the fact that something always changes about the morals and culture of our society. The problem is something deeper. What adds to this problem is a simple inability for parents and children to socialize after a divorce. After being separated it is much more difficult for a family members to find something to share, to talk about. And it may feel like a tragedy, because still family remains the main source of love and support for everybody. Without it we may feel lost.
When I read the story The Reunion by John Cheever it really made me sad, because small tragedies like this one are the part of our everyday life.
The plot of the story is simple. It is the description of a short meeting of a father and a son who haven’t seen each other for more then three years. The narrator of the story is a boy, Charlie. I think the author used this technique, because he wanted to give us the true picture. Children are not used to tell lies or to hide their feelings, like many adults do. This boy can be trusted. Charlie is very excited as he waited for this meeting for so long: “As soon as I saw him I felt he was my father” (Cheever 185).
As for Charlie’s father his name is unknown to the reader. I think this is a personification, his name is not so important. But the word “father” appeals to reader’s emotions, because it is always associated with somebody to rely on, it is a symbol of love and support. But what do we see in reality?
Charlie’s father proves to be a businessman first of all. The meeting itself was arranged by his secretary. He is very punctual, as we see: “At 12 o’clock sharp I saw him coming”(Cheever 185).
Further on we see the bright example to illustrate Aristotle’s saying that “actions define character”. The father doesn’t look like he cares about his child. He resolves to take him to a restaurant in order to impress him. He talks like a real snob: “I’d like to take you to MY club, but it’s in the SIXTIES” (Cheever 186). He takes Charlie to a series of restaurants, and everywhere he is rude and too loud. I think he loves his son deep in his heart, but we only see how the precious minutes of the meeting are wasted.
The climax of the story comes when Charlie ends the reunion. He says he must catch a train.
The dénouement is the words “That was the last time I saw my father”(Cheever 190). The words are simple, but their meaning is tragic.
The story is full with symbols. One of them is the Grand Central Station, where people meet and part. The title of the story creates the feeling of anxiety; it expresses the child’s hopes and fears.
I think this story may teach people to try to understand each other’s feelings and not to hurt the people they love.
Works Cited
Cheever, John. The stories of John Cheever. USA: Vintage, 2000.