Expect to meet different characters in literature. If they're far from what you have in mind, then you might have a small network of friends. It's your prerogative, but an author thinks otherwise. D.H. Lawrence is one of those exceptions, whose novels reflect his background. And this would influence his beliefs. What does it have to do with Father's Day? Not much.
Father's Day, which is observed during the third Sunday of June, is a special occasion. Spending time with the big man is the first thing on the minds of most people, but let's talk about the literary fathers. Authors have come up with the most memorable figures, some of whom are hard to fit the conventional definition of a father figure. But the primary motive of literature is to force readers to think outside the box.
There are five father figures who you should know more about. Here they are:
Mr. Bennet. It's not easy to live with six women, one of whom is your fatalistic wife. This is the typical Bennet household, yet Mr. Bennet somehow manages to keep his family together. It could have been uneasy, as social custom would dictate a young lady to settle down with a gentleman. Any man perhaps. This would put Mrs. Bennet in a high-strung mode, most of the time. But Mr. Bennet would remain calm and composed. He couldn't have done it better. Furthermore, the Bennets have shown a strong support system. A pat on Mr. Bennet's back.
Jenny Fields. John Irving's fifth novel featured an unconventional character. Jenny Fields was a strong-willed woman, and this would be the reason behind her refusal to find a husband. She wanted to have a child, though. It happened that she nursed a brain-damaged gunner. He seemed to be aroused by her, but she'd rather look at it as her way of helping him suffer less during his final days. T.S. Garp could have turned out to be a dysfunctional individual, but he wasn't different from any boy in school. She was supportive of him without showing the slightest interest in his passion. (Fiction, sex, wrestling, in no particular order.) You must admire her vision and unconditional love (to her son). Here's to the strong women (and father figures of sort).
Jean Valjean. Fatherhood was Jean Valjean's redemption from years in the galleys. He was a victim of circumstances until a bishop showed him that choices would make a person. It took one act of human kindness to keep a little girl from witnessing the hard life that he knew too well. "Les Misérables" was about hope and compassion when there seemed to be nothing left of it.
Jack London. A fifty-year-old spy became a father figure to his teenage nephew. This was the only way to get him out of trouble, but Jack London showed him something else. It won't be the most expensive cars, a must for spies. It would take one person to make another one's dreams come true. And he only needed to believe in him (or her). It seemed like a sappy message from a Hallmark card until readers find out that this was Mark Millar's violent comic book series.
Arthur Weasley. The Death Eaters called him a traitor, as he was known for his interest in the Muggle World. His job at the Ministry of Magic doesn't pay much, which would put his large family in a precarious position. But the father of seven was a light-hearted fellow. He was affable to anyone who knew him. It wasn't hard for Harry Potter to find another father figure (aside from Albus Dumbledore).
How about you? If you have a slightly different list, then don't keep it to yourself.
