Calvin Jarrett’s Definition of “Fatherhood”
Calvin Jarrett’s Definition of “Fatherhood”
Calvin Jarrett aged forty one is a gentleman fathering one son (Conrad) and a deceased son, “Buck” Jordan who passed on exactly a year ago. When Calvin was four, his mother took him to an orphanage. She showed some care by often sending him presents on his birthday and festive seasons like Christmas time. Calvin stayed there because his mother could not afford to raise him and she used to live in a small home. Calvin’s mum used to pay him a visit every once in a while; nevertheless, there was never a father or a father figure who could come to claim him.
Just after Jordan’s demise, Conrad contemplated to committing suicide. Calvin gets trying hardest to be there for his son, but it is not easy for him since he never had a father figure in his life. Throughout the first couple of chapters, Calvin tries to find out what the father figure means and what he can do assist his son Conrad.
The “Ordinary People” by Judith Guest, Cal says, “responsibility” in other words dependability. That is fatherhood. Furthermore, Calvin also defines what fatherhood in various versions as follows. First and foremost, talking to his son about his closes and applying no pressure on the kid. Paying much attention to Conrad’s reactions such as facial expressions, tone among others defined Calvin’s idea of fatherhood. Another task of fatherhood gets to be signing commitment papers, checking up, and authorizing certain specified treatments. In addition, preventing oneself from further grief about historical facts that cannot be changed (Pg34).
Similarities and differences
Atticus Finch in “To Kill a Mockingbird” gets portrayed as an ideal father figure, since he is exemplary in how he treats his kids Scout and Jem. Atticus does not exhibit any stereotypically male behaviors or attributes. For example, he does not hang around at the local pool or dinner hall with drinking dudes. He goes straight home and takes ample time with his kids as he shares with them their day to day experiences. Calvin can also be termed as an ideal father due to his efforts towards achieving a satisfactory fatherly figure status.
Although his background denied him an opportunity to learn how an ideal father should be like, but in the future he learns by caring for his son. Atticus teaches his kids Jem and Scout real life lessons. Through arranging for them to read aloud to Mrs. Dubose (Morphine addict) he wanted them to learn about courage like displayed by Mrs. Dubose’s fight against addiction.
On the other hand, Calvin constantly checks on Conrad’s school performance, asking him about school and how everything went on in school. On the contrary, Calvin was underprivileged since his childhood experience denied him a father figure experience. Although we are not told about Atticus father figure experience during his childhood, but we assume it was not like Calvin’s experience. Atticus is already experienced in the area of fatherhood since his actions get to be ideal and sound.
In addition, Atticus style of raising his kids gets to be organized and influential to Jem and Scout while Calvin struggle in trying to learn how to, please his son Conrad does not influence him. Calvin spent more time figuring out what father figure is while Atticus was an ideal father figure. Atticus raised his kid without their mother while Calvin had his wife Beth whom they shared responsibility in caring for their kids.
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