Dysfunctional Families In Canadian Short Stories Essay

, Research Paper

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 fists

and swearing and crying all at the same time… (pg. 195) The parent/child role reversal ,

the lack of structure, discipline, and authority in the home and the violent episodes

demonstrate the degree of dysfunction in this family.

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

Teddy s aunt is constantly ordering him around. After asking Teddy what he was doing in

the attic she says very harshly Well, young man, you better wipe that scowl off your

face and march to the bathroom and get ready for supper. (pg. 43) His aunt s coldness

certainly contributes to their imperfect relationship. Furthermore, Teddy has a strained

connection with his uncle because of his uncle s endless teasing. At the dinner table,

Teddy s uncle says, He s got his head in the clouds again. and then his uncle

laughed mirthlessly. (pg. 43) His uncle also teases him when Teddy is playing with

paper dolls (pg. 45). This constant harassment causes the difficulties in their relationship.

Finally, neither Teddy s aunt nor his uncle trust him. Simply because Teddy spends a

considerable amount of time playing in the attic on a rainy day, his aunt asks suspiciously,

You been into some mischief up there? (pg. 42) and then she sends her husband to

investigate (pg. 44). This clearly shows that the adults did not trust Teddy and it is