John Cheever – Reunion Essay Example

him" (p. 1 l. 10-11). The passage also introduces the father as a busy businessman, although his name remains undisclosed throughout the story. This portrayal paints a picture of the father being consumed by work. It is crucial to mention that Charlie's message is not responded to by his father himself, but rather by his secretary.

This is a highly formal means of communication. Given the passage of three years, one would anticipate the father offering his own response. The quote "His secretary wrote that he would meet me at the information booth at noon, and twelve o’clock sharp I saw him coming through the crowd" (p. 1 l. 6-7) implies that the father is exceptionally punctual, a quality typically associated with businessmen.

After their meeting at the train station, they go out for lunch. Instead of showing Charlie "the club" as the father wanted, they run out of time. This desire of the father suggests that he may have wanted to impress his son. Nonetheless, the father takes his son to a restaurant instead. In this unexpected turn of events, the father's behavior becomes boisterous. He becomes excessively loud and arrogant, as he hails the waiter by shouting "Kellner!" in a loud voice.

"Garcon! Cameriere! You! " (p. 1 l. 6), he exclaims, attempting to get the attention of the waiter. When the waiter fails to react to his loudness, he resorts to clapping and saying "Chop-Chop!" (p. 1 l.)

28) The father's action of clapping gets the waiter's attention and shows that he doesn't like being signaled in that way. In a disrespectful manner, the father replies by saying, "Calm down, calm down, sommelier. If it's not

too much to ask – if it wouldn't be too much beyond your duties, we would like a couple of Beefeater Gibsons." (p. 2 l. 1-2) This conduct may come from the father's job, making him think he can give orders to people of lower status. Consequently, the father continues this behavior at three other restaurants.

The text highlights the father's motivation to impress his son, but ultimately fails as they struggle to find any restaurants that will serve them. It is mentioned at the start that the father reeks of Whiskey and he even gets a drink at one of the establishments, suggesting he was already intoxicated before their encounter. This may explain his impolite and aggressive demeanor. He appears to have a desire to provoke others, as shown by his remark in the last scene at the newsstand where he expresses his intention to "get a rise out of this chap" (p. 3 l. ).

Despite Charlie's father being highly intelligent, his knowledge of saying "waiter" in multiple languages does not indicate fluency. However, at the Italian restaurant, he impressively converses fluently with the waiters in Italian. This ability could be attributed to his potential membership in the Italian minority residing in New York City, a city renowned for its multiculturalism. They meet at the train station, which is an impersonal location for their rendezvous.

The train station serves as a mere transit point and is not an ideal location for a long-awaited reunion after three years of separation. This setting suggests that their relationship may have weakened over time. Typically, it is the father who criticizes the waiter when they are together, while the son

struggles to engage in meaningful conversation with his father. During their visit to the second restaurant, the father inquires about his son's experience with a baseball season.

There is a noticeable lack of personal inquiry from the father towards the son's education or his mother's wellbeing. This indifference demonstrates the father's detachment and lack of concern. Interestingly, the son remains silent about his father's behavior throughout the entire scene and remains composed. In order to make an early departure, the son employs the excuse of catching his train.

At this point, his father is greatly under the influence – and the more intoxicated he gets, the more affectionate he becomes towards his son. In opposition to how he initially greeted his son by shaking his hand "He shook my hand" (p. 3 l. 14), he now embraces his son tightly and apologizes "He put his arms around me and pressed me up against him" (p. 3 l.).

15-16),. Charlie's father has left him disappointed, evoking some sympathy for him. The story contains various messages and themes, emphasizing the importance of considering others, particularly family and loved ones. Cherishing every moment with them is crucial, as one never knows when it may be the last time they are seen. Often, people only realize their love for something or someone once it has been lost.

Among other things, the themes of the text include mutual respect, which is evidently lacking in the father's behavior. The principle of treating others as you want to be treated is emphasized. Charlie initially experiences joy when reuniting with his father, but unfortunately, his father's actions end up disappointing him. It seems that the father regards

their reunion as a mere joke.

The father demonstrated minimal affection towards his son, with even their greetings being limited to handshakes. They also had a lack of communication between them. However, when the father disappoints his son at restaurants, he expresses a slight display of affection by embracing him.

However, Charlie has to leave and it is already too late. As he departs, his father decides to provoke the man at the newsstand and completely forgets about his son. It is important to note that this was their first encounter in three years, and sadly, also their final one.