Compass and a torch analysis free essay sample

Many children today, experience that their parents end up being separated. Unfortunately a separation is very likely to also make the relationship between the child and either the mother or father very complicated as well. In this story, we hear about an 8-year-old boy and his divorced parents – along with the mother’s new man, Jim. First of all, it doesn’t seem like the boy and his dad sees each other very often. The man and his son are spending time together for the first time in 4 months, and therefore – they have planned to accompane each other on an expedition. The mother clearly states that she finds the situation somehow ridiculous, and sees the father as being very irresponsible. In the start of the story, we can already feel that the boy has a very good interest for his father. The narrator explains what the boy is feeling, when he stands by, and watches the father from a close distance. We will write a custom essay sample on Compass and a torch analysis or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page He seems very masculine, strong and brave from the boy’s point of view. â€Å"The boy is intent. Watching Dad. Watching what Dad is. Drinking it in: the essence of Dadness† (P. 7. l. 8). When it comes to the stepfather, Jim – it seems like the boy is having problems accepting him. He needs to force himself greatly, just to even answer him properly. The boy is very sensitive, and obviously care a lot about his father, while he is also a little confused because of his mother having another man. He is somehow feeling a bit imprisoned between 2 worlds. The one with his mom and the stepfather, whom he doesn’t seem to like very much – and then the father he doesn’t see very often apparently. When the man returns to the car, looking at his son, while he is holding up the torch – he becomes extremely sensitive: â€Å"He is looking away, seared by the glitter of anxiety in his little boy’s eyes† (P. 8. l. 14). Going out with their colored torches, the man and his son are trying to find the right road together – although none of them remembered to bring their compass. The father sounds very worried at first, but then he decides to swing the tent out. Even though the boy is only 8 years old, he has some very mature and concrete thought. He is somehow feeling bad for his father, because he feels that Jim and his mother are underestimating his dad. (P. 9. ll. 38) â€Å"Now you will be careful? Don’t go camping too near the edge. † â€Å"Unforgivable – as if she and Jim didn’t think that Dad could think of such a thing for himself† (P. 9. ll.38). There was a point, at which the boy didn’t really wan’t to go on this trip – which was also one of the reasons that he forgot all about his compass. Although it seems very strange, because they have some very strong feelings for each other and the boy looks up to the father. Somehow, there is a strong conviction, which tells the boy that they are meant to be together, and not having their compasses to guide them through. â€Å"But they don’t need a compass after all. They are adventurers, after all. Compasses are things that boys and dads tend to have, but which, when they are alert and strong at heart, they can leave behind. It is no accident that they both left their compasses behind† (P. 10. ll. 1). In the end, the dad feels very powerless and he is very sad, because he feels that he does not play a big enough role in the life of his son. He feels that he cannot be there for him, and listen to him as much as he should. â€Å"He could feel it gathering in the blackening chill: the aching certainty that already, only one year on from the separation, he has lost his son, his child. And the thought grew so strong that he could only half-listen to the child’s earnest desperate voice† (P. 11. ll.9). The main theme of this story is Relationship – Because all of the feelings are based on relationships between persons. Both between the parents, the mom and the son, the dad and the son, and the stepdad and the son. Apart from that, this expedition also strengthens the relationship between the father and his son, and we can feel how they are both being sensitive in different situations. The title of the text, could symbolize that this expedition is not just for the experience, but it also somehow makes their inner feelings and thoughts to â€Å"Travel† and evolve.