Since Tobias Wolff was raised under lost and unstable conditions as a child, "The Rich Brother" truly reflects his life journey in the form of both of the characters. This shows how the author is able to tie in his true life experiences with a fictional plot and truly engage the reader page by page in his narrative. While reading this short story, I found myself sitting next to Webster in the back seat watching the two brothers interact. Wolff is able to construct such a story that can weave in his religious views along with secular morals.
The story starts off very simply in a third person omniscient description of the two brothers and their financial states. He then goes along to talk about their jobs and their attitudes towards life, which is when the reader begins to notice the direct contrast between the two. This contrast sets the stage for later development in the story about how Pete is more concerned about the surface and helping with people's surface problems, mainly monetary, where Donald is concerned about people's inner problems with themselves. The contrast in where their compassion is focused directly ties into the last few sentences about when Pete tries to fool himself that he is okay with being alone and that this is what he wanted, while he is instinctually slowing down to turn around and pick up his brother (pg. 267).
I believe that this scene in the short story is paralleled to the Catholic faith because it emphasizes the fact that regardless of what a human being can do wrong, it is almost like God's instinct to turn around and pick us up and make sure we are brought to safety. Pete does not seem to develop an ability to be liked or not liked throughout the story, but he is seen as the good Samaritan character or the God figure because he is always willing to help out, even if it is surface level or physically going to pick up his brother. The God parallel is shown in an earlier seen in Denny's when he also takes in Webster, while he "still had it in mind to brush him off, but he didn't do that. Instead he unlocked the door for him" (pg. 261). This is a sign again that God will always be there welcoming everyone in, which is an important belief in the Catholic faith.
On page 256 when we actually meet Donald, we see his image and his backwards shirt saying "Try God." The idea that he put it on backwards from the church that he was kicked out of is very symbolic because he thinks he finally has found his way by trying religion, but he has just had another kick to the ground with these people, and he is all backwards and spun around again. He tries to start something new with his life and go towards religion, but he does it the wrong way and ends up the same way that he started.
On a more symbolic note, the entire short story can be seen as a journey, either to or away from God, but a journey. Almost the entire story takes place while they are driving down the road, away from the Christian church that had kicked Donald out, and towards the Catholic acceptance. This journey is a developing ride Donald and Pete because Pete realizes he has more to offer than just being "rich," and Donald understands that his compassion and good will can help him if he utilizes them correctly. We are never fully aware of where Donald's journey ends, but we are able to understand that Pete truly transforms into a caring and concerned human being.
Throughout reading this story, I went back and forth on what I thought about the character Pete. Donald is portrayed consistently throughout the story as the more compassionate brother, whose compassion often results in his own punishment of some sort. While Donald is the "compassionate" one, it is still easier for the reader to dislike him. This is because he fails take on responsibilities and move forward with his own life. Pete, on the other hand, is a much more confusing character. Pete is successful, helpful to his brother, and as stated in this post, compassionate. However, the part of the story about their childhood when Pete attempted to "kill" Donald is the first place where I began to question Pete's motives. In fact, when Pete pulled over to let Donald out I actually thought he was going to kill him (too extreme? possibly). I was very pleased to see Donald wasn't killed, that would have been sad. Anyways, Pete's compassion does shine through at this point, suggesting that he is the protagonist who has experienced an epiphany of compassion. In relating this story to the Catholic faith, I saw a connection between this story and the story of Cain and Able. Just as Pete and Donald are two brothers in competition, so were Cain and Able. In the story of Cain and Able, Able sacrifices a lamb for God and Cain sacrifices his crops for God. Since the lamb is considered a "greater sacrifice" Cain believes that Able is attempting to sabotage his relationship with God which leads to him killing his brother Able. In The Rich Brother, Pete is representative of Cain and Donald is representative of Able. Although Pete does not speak poorly of the Church, Donald does speak more profoundly about God throughout the story and is much more concerned with helping those in despair. Pete, on the other hand, is much more concerned with helping those in immediate connection with himself and ignoring anyone else.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you thoughts about Pete. When the story first started, I was waiting for Pete's flaws to be highlighted because he is initially shown as the "good" brother. I feel like Wolff does a good job to not be predictable in that manner and allow the reader to truly develop his character. The story of Cain and Able is exactly the one that came to my mind, too, but I couldn't think of the name of it! That is a perfect comparison, especially for his childhood. Wolff connects his religious background and upbringing through the many parallels about their relationship in the story. Thank you so much for the Cain and Able reference!
DeleteI think I am in the minority in saying that in my opinion, Pete is the rich brother. I think due to some biblical stories, and in part to our 99% vs 1% culture, most people assume that rich people can't be good people. That if you have many things, you are taught to give them away. Pete clearly has been blessed with everything he could imagine. He probably could be doing more to give back, but not along the lines of giving away everything he has. Donald on the other hand needs to learn the difference between being a giving person, and being smart. At some point, he needs to realize that he needs to take care of himself and be realistic about things. He can have this great understanding of faith and hope, and not give away all his money and get kicked out of jobs/churches. I think it is easy to assume that Donald is the rich brother because he is rich in faith, but I would argue as rich as he is in faith, he is poor in intelligence.
DeleteSomething that I thought of in class today but didn't have the chance to bring up was how Donald seems so childlike in this story. In a way, this can also be thought of as an aspect of his "richness". In the gospels Jesus says that we should strive to be childlike in our faith, because children have the ability to put all of their trust in something without doubting. Donald is definitely childlike, which can at times be a bad thing (example, falling for the con and losing $100) but can sometimes be a good thing, especially when it comes to trusting in God. Either way, Donald probably needs to learn the difference between being trusting and being naive...
ReplyDeleteAfter I thought about this story more, I considered the fact that both brothers may be rich in morals. Pete, in turning around for his brother, does show a considerable ability to both love and forgive. Although he may not be as outwardly connected to faith, forgiveness and love are important aspects of a connection to God. Perhaps Donald encourages that type of wealth in Pete, while Pete shares his worldly wealth with Donald. They need each other to survive- one physically, the other spiritually.
ReplyDeleteOur class discussion on who the rich brother is really got me thinking. Initially, I definitely saw Pete as the rich brother. Donald's spirituality, at least to me, didn't seem all that strong. In fact, I felt like he showed a complete lack of regard for Pete and his hard-earned money by simply giving it away (the same thing he got in trouble for with the groceries at the compound he was previously living at). Katy, I agree that being child-like can sometimes be a good thing, at least in terms of a "child-like faith" and their complete trust in God. But he seems child-like in every other aspect of his life too, which seems like a definite negative. I think the fact that Pete was willing to go to the lengths he did for his brother shows that he is both rich in moral courage, as well as materially wealthy. Bethlyn, I thought the last sentence of your post was great: "They need each other to survive--one physically, the other spiritually." They do both seem to sustain each other in different ways. Clearly one could argue either one is that "rich brother."
ReplyDeleteKaty, I really liked your point about looking at Donald as a childlike figure. Like you said, Jesus teaches us to strive to return to the childlike state of innocence where we can put complete faith in God without questioning. The concept of innocence and unquestioning faith is always an interesting concept to me. Donald sees the potential for good, and hence the image of God, in everyone and so he assumes they will not take advantage him. While this way of life is rather noble, one also has to be practical, which is where I can understand Adam's point about Donald's disregard for Pete's hard earned money.
ReplyDeleteI would agree, however at some point Donald needs to look out for himself. Yes it is noble to look out for the best interest of others, but it is not noble to be naive. Donald sees TOO much potential for good in others, to a fault. Other people pick up on this and take advantage of him. I think you use the word "practical" very well here in order to describe where the lines is between being pious and looking out for yourself.
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