Critical Essay on Power By Tobias Wolf

Introduction

The short story "power" written by Tobias Wolf in the year 1996 basically focusses on love, relationship, conformity and rebellion witnessed in the family. The father and son have gone skiing at the Mount Baker on the Eve of Christmas and struggles to get back for dinner so that not to annoy the mother more as he is angry with the father for sneaking the boy into a nightclub to see Thelonious Monk. This paper will give a brief summary of the short story and then a discussion on how symbols are used to depict the two main themes love, conformity, and rebellion. Finally, a conclusion will be provided to summarize all the main points in the essay.

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Summary Of The Story

As stated above, "Power" focuses on the events of a young boy and his father who have gone skiing on Christmas Eve. We are made to understand that the father and mother of this boy who is the narrator of the story are at the edge of breaking up. The mother is angry with the father for sneaking the young boy into a nightclub. However, the mother allows the boy to accompany the boy to the Mount Baker ski trip as he promises to keep him safe and get him home on time. The father wants to spend time with his son because he loves him. The father is doing his best according to his opinion as he tries to give his boy great experiences whenever they go out. For instance, as they are about to leave it starts to snow and the father wants the boy to experience the gest of skiing in the snow. The dad wants them to spend a couple of minutes. Although the boy knows this is wrong, he trusts his father even with his life. The son thought to himself that, "He was an awesome diver. Who is subtle at the wheels and tactful at the pedal work. In fact, I trust him." (12). On their way home, they find that the roadblocks but the father is rebellious and follows the road when the trooper gets out of sight.

Themes And Symbols Representing Them

Love

The theme of love is represented by the symbol of powder which is usually soft, unspoiled, fresh and pure. The father and son want to strengthen their relationships as they are both excited about fresh and new beginnings. The boy is very excited when the father tells him that he wants to mend fences with the mother so that they can all become united happy family. The power symbolizes the main driving forces of love which include covering the old track (unpleasant past), old habits, and unwanted old feelings. Also, the fresh coat of powder symbolizes the opportunity and the willingness to lay down new tracts (relationships dominated with love) and forging of new viable and long-lasting relationship. The powder also represents the good grip for driving and enables one to make their own way towards the formation of new love ties.

Snow has been used to symbolize the uncertainty that faces the love and relationships in the family. The snow that falls on their path is a representation of physical and visible obstruction as it causes blinding. The father who is driving is not able to see what is ahead and this shows that the father cannot predict the fate of his quest to restore love and everlasting relationships among the family members. Therefore, there is ambiguity and the concept of unknown hence the father cannot plan for it.

The roadblock which is a physical barrier symbolizes emotional obstruction towards the new love and relationship that the father is striving to establish with his family. The act of physically removing the roadblock symbolizes the removal of a barrier or obstruction that threatens the new relationship and love among the family members.

Rebellion/Conformity

The themes of rebellion and conformity are widely represented throughout the story as seen via the actions of the father and the son respectively. Jazz is a symbol for the father whose characteristics are spontaneity, improvisation, lack of planning, no order and the lack to follow rules. The father insists that they go down the road although it was blocked and it had not been cleared yet. " The road is closed and it might be cleared or not, so take cover until you are given a go ahead." (10). The father defied this order which shows his rebellious character. Other instances that show the rebellious nature of the father is the fact that he suggests that they continue skiing although time is not on their side and taking the son to a late night club.

The theme of conformity is portrayed by the actions of the young boy who seems to have more thing capacity and a sense of responsibility, unlike the father. The boy has numbered hangers and does his homework in advice. The boy has a fear of the unexpected and must plan everything ahead of time. This can be said to be a coping mechanism as a result of his parents' fighting, separation and pending divorce.

Works Cited

Wolff, Tobias. The Night in Question: Stories. Vintage, 1997.