This, like most other Nick Adam’s stories, is a coming of age tale. Even though Nick isn’t even in the story until the very end, the message of the story is one that every young man must come to grips with eventually.
In the story, Nick’s father gets into an argument with a guy named Dick over some lumber that Dick accuses Nick’s father of stealing even though it is just driftwood left over from a logging company. Dick tests the Doctor’s patience not only by accusing him but also by intimidating him and calling him “Doc” in a condescending way. Eventually, he is pushed too far and he threatens Dick saying, “If you call me Doc once again, I’ll knock your eye teeth down your throat.” It is obvious Dick is just looking for a fight because he responds with, “Oh, no, you won’t, Doc.”
Furious, and knowing he was defeated, Nick’s father retreats back up to his house. While in his house, he is further emasculated by his wife who is a “Christian Scientist” and warns him not to cause any trouble with Dick and calling him “dear” in a very emasculating tone repeatedly. It is obvious from their situation and the fact that they sleep in different bedrooms, Nick’s father cannot please his wife and is somewhat under her control.
Finally, he leaves to go get Nick to come home for dinner but the two take the long way home to see the black squirrels in spite of his instructions. It is clear that Nick is still the one thing he still has control over.
To me, this story is one I think every man can relate with. It is about the first time you realize your father isn’t perfect. He is just human and makes mistakes just like every other man on earth. Boys grow up revering their fathers. We want to dress like them, look like them, do what they do, and we follow every example they lead by. It reminds me of that song by Rodney Atkins that goes, “I’ve been watching you, Dad, ain’t that cool? I’m your buckaroo, I wanna be like you…” Although that song portrays a positive father-son relationship, the point is that young boys see their dads as the coolest.
Obviously, this is not true. As much as we love our fathers, we all have to admit that none of them are perfect. They aren’t the big strong heroes, the I’m-not-afraid-of-anything super men that we see them as when we are kids. This realization is also a tough one to come to grips with.
I think it is interesting that Hemingway would pair this story, portraying the shortcomings of Nick’s father with Indian Camp where he is portrayed as the hero. In both cases, pride seems to get the best of Nick’s father but he only lives up to it in the first story. The second story is Nick’s realization that his dad is a coward.
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