In “The third bank of the river” describe the role that the father plays in the life of the narrator

Answer 1

In "The Third Bank of the River," the father plays a significant role in the life of the narrator. He is the central figure in the story and his actions have a lasting impact on the narrator and the family.

At the beginning of the story, the father is portrayed as a responsible and hardworking man. He is the breadwinner of the family, working as a well-respected member of the community. However, his actions take a sudden turn when he decides to abandon his family and his responsibilities by retreating to a small, unstable and isolated canoe on the third bank of the river near their house. This choice confuses and devastates the narrator and the rest of the family.

The father's decision to isolate himself from society and live on the river becomes a metaphor for his withdrawal from his family's life. He no longer participates in their everyday routines and interactions, instead choosing to live as a hermit. The narrator and the other characters try to lure him back, but he remains stubbornly committed to his new way of life.

Despite his physical absence, the father's presence lingers on in the thoughts and memories of the narrator. The impact of his abandonment permeates every aspect of the narrator's life, causing him to question his own identity and relationships. The narrator is unable to fully comprehend or move on from the father's drastic decision, leading to a sense of emotional emptiness and confusion.

The father becomes a symbol of the complexities of human nature and the unpredictability of life. The narrative suggests that in his solitude, the father finds a sort of freedom and peace that he couldn't find within the confines of his family. This brings into focus the struggle between individual desires and obligations to others.

Overall, the father in "The Third Bank of the River" represents the complexities of familial relationships and the profound impact that one person's actions can have on the lives of others. He is a figure who questions societal expectations and conventional roles, leaving those around him to grapple with the consequences and search for their own sense of meaning and purpose.