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Discuss The Father’s Role in Establishing the Identity of the Child in Alice Munro’s

“Walker Brothers Cowboy.”

The father in Alice Munro's short story, "Walker Brothers Cowboy," is given an

exemplary role in developing the main protagonist, Neal's, identity. Through his influence,

the protagonist is shown to be directly shaped and molded into who he will become later in

life. As the primary male figure in the story, the father serves as a role model and a teacher,

providing Neal with examples of what it takes to be a man in his family and community. By

doing so, he also is integral in establishing Neal's identity as a whole.

The protagonist's father is shown as a hardworking, kind, and modest individual who

does his best to meet his son's needs despite the constraints of his financial situation. He is

described as familial, loving, and humorous, dedicating time to nurturing his son's

development in the small household. He fosters a sense of joy and delights in his son, evident

in the young boy's energy and eagerness to explore the world outside their box-like home. In

this approach, the parent lays the groundwork for the protagonist's worldview and sense of

self.

The father is shown at the novel's outset as a powerful, competent guy who can

negotiate the challenging terrain of rural Ontario. He is regarded as an expert farmer and

hunter well-versed in the land's inhabitants. He is characterized as a guy of few words who

prefers to express himself via deeds rather than discourse. For instance, while teaching his kid

to hunt, he does not deliver a detailed lecture on the topic but rather models the techniques

himself so that the youngster may learn by watching.

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Through these actions, the father begins to establish his son's identity. He instills self-

reliance and independence by training him to hunt and farm. The youngster learns to fend for

himself in the woods, which will be useful as he ages. Moreover, the father's focus on hard

work and endurance instills in the kid a strong work ethic, which will form his identity in the

future.

On the other hand, the father's effect on his son's identity is not always favorable. As

the tale develops, it becomes evident that the father also instills his preconceptions and biases

in his kid. He is quick to condemn and discard anybody who does not match his limited

concept of being a man. As the youngster is interested in poetry, his father mocks him, saying

that "cowboys don't read poetry." This narrow-mindedness restricts the child's potential and

stops him from pursuing all his interests and abilities.

As a father, Luke's father is often distant — his aggressive and hardworking nature

leaves little time for direct communication with his son. Though he is rarely physically

present, he manages to powerfully shape Luke's worldview as Luke tries to make sense of his

father's life and observations. Through his father's words and actions — such as telling stories

of his childhood and introducing him to cowboy culture — Luke begins to piece together an

identity for himself.

As the characters' relationship changes, so too makes the father's approach to raising

the boy. Through his physical absence, he gives the protagonist a chance to authentically

explore his independence and identity. He keeps the protagonist afloat during their transition,

but his distance makes that exploration lonely. His presence is also essential to the story's

overall tension. Without him, the protagonist's journey of self-discovery and the struggles he

experiences in his quest for identity wouldn't be as poignant.

Ultimately, the father's relationship with his son establishes the protagonist's identity

and purpose. His presence instills within the protagonist a sense of longing and ambition as
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he works towards becoming the "real cowboy" his father envisions. At the same time, his

physical absence reinforces the loneliness of the protagonist's journey and gives the boy the

space to explore and define his identity. In this way, the complexity of the father's role in

establishing the child's identity contributes to the story's overall theme: that self-discovery

and understanding can be difficult but is necessary for growth.

Although Luke's father demonstrates his concern for his son in his attempts to impress

upon the boy his life habits, the man's actions also reflect a certain level of neglect. His

preoccupation with his work often means that he is too busy to attend to matters in the home

and care for young Luke's needs, leaving him feeling marginalized and embarrassed in the

community. As a result, the bond between father and son becomes uneasy, with a stigma of

abandonment hanging over the relationship. Luke's feelings of neglect and his feelings

towards his father become further complicated when he begins to understand that his father's

lifestyle directly contradicts the 'normal' lifestyle he sees around him.

The father is given the traditional role in the family and is the primary provider.

Living in an era when a father's role in the family was seen to be very powerful, Neal's

respect for him and the will to please him dictates much of the decisions he makes and how

he acts. Through his actions, Neal begins to recognize his expectations, model his behavior

after his father, and realize what is expected of him. This, in turn, helps shape their identity of

Neal and the type of man he is expected to be.

The father's obsession with traditional masculinity is further highlighted through his

relationship with his brother, the eponymous "Walker Brothers Cowboy." The father idolizes

his brother, a tough, rugged man who spends his days on horseback and hunting in the

wilderness. The father tells the boy stories about his brother's adventures and encourages him

to emulate his uncle's toughness and courage. However, as the narrative goes on, the father's

romanticized view of manhood is not all that it's built up to be.

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In one pivotal scene, the father takes the boy on a hunting trip with his uncle. The boy

faces the hard realities of becoming a "true man" in his father's eyes while on the journey. His

uncle shoots a deer, and he is horrified by the sight of the animal's blood and suffering. He

attempts to persuade his dad and uncle to save the deer, but they ignore him and insist that he

help them kill it. The youngster doubts his father's notions of masculinity and manhood

through this encounter.

As the one seen as the source of guidance and affirmation, the father is an ever-

present force in Neal's life. This can be seen when Neal imitates his father's physical

characteristics to become more like him. As a child, Neal takes great pleasure in looking like

his dad, further solidifying his connection to his parent and his admiration for them. Neal's

dedication to imitating his father becomes even clearer as time passes as he exhibits more and

more of his traits, including his clothing sense and cowboy-like demeanor.

The father is also a teacher and mentor figure in Neal's life. When Neal was a kid, he

looked up to his dad as the adult who gave him "permission" to do things like horseback

riding, hunting, and other outdoor sports. His words are powerful to Neal, as the young boy is

showered with love, admiration, and a sense of freedom. By allowing Neal to partake in these

activities, the father also will enable him to find joy and purpose and establish a sense of

identity as a young man.

The father is also presented as the one who helps shape Neal's core values. Neal is

instilled with a sense of responsibility, loyalty, and justice through his guidance and

supportive words of wisdom. The father often reprimands Neal for his wrongdoings and

advises him to use such experiences for his future benefit. He also serves as a direct source of

initiation for Neal, encouraging Neal to seize the moment when something presents itself.

This is highlighted especially in how he allows Neal to take on more of a leadership role

when the opportunity presents itself.

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Despite his father's insistence on traditional gender roles and his idolization of his

brother, the story ultimately suggests his views on masculinity are misguided and harmful.

Munro depicts a world in which men are expected to be rigid and emotionless; any deviation

from this norm is seen as weakness. However, through Charlie's experiences, the story

suggests that there is value in sensitivity and vulnerability and that true strength comes from

being true to oneself rather than conforming to societal expectations.

Generally, it is evident that the father in Alice Munro's short story, "Walker Brothers

Cowboy," plays a vital role in developing the protagonist's identity, Neal. Through his

actions, decisions, and words, he shapes Neal into the person he will eventually be. The

father is essential in Neal's development by teaching him the importance of responsibility,

loyalty, justice, and the need to have a sense of purpose in life. He strives to provide the best

environment to reach his potential. Through his influence and guidance, Neal will eventually

become the man he is meant to be, thus, a standout character in the story.

In conclusion, the father's role in establishing the child's identity in Alice Munro's

"Walker Brothers Cowboy" is a complex one in which he serves both as a support system and

a source of alienation. He is the impetus for the protagonist's adventure, inspiring a yearning

for a more imaginative world and a desire to become the "true cowboy" of his fantasies. His

physical distance allows the boy to find authenticity and understanding, while their

relationship further emphasizes the themes of self-discovery and growth. The complexity of

the father's role in the protagonist's identity is poignantly illuminated throughout the story and

contributes to its poignant yet ultimately uplifting message.

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Work Cited

Walker Brothers Cowboy by Alice Munro