Just because the
father was caught up in his old ways does not make him any less of a person.
Just because Julian could not give up his old days does not make him any less
of a character. Sure he was a stubborn character and he lost a lot, and even
though he could not show his love and appreciation for other people does not
make him any less of a person. I can bet the entire class knows a grandpa or
great grand pa that acts the exact same way. Maybe it’s something as simple as
using a land line instead of a cell phone or still writing letters to people
instead of emailing them. You would never think of your great grandparent any
less if they lived in a house with no insulation, no running water or heat
would you? That would be where they lived and there would be nothing you could
do about it.
So what if Julien
wanted to repair type writers for a living. At least he enjoyed what he did. In
class we tried to attack Julien for the way he acted and for his lack of
appreciation for his wife and odie but I disagree. There were no true details
that specifically said he and his wife separated because of the job. I am sure
it was a contributing factor but who is to say she didn’t run off with an I.T.
expert causing a divorce. Granted I do not think Julien should have invested
all of his saved money into fixing up an old house, especially on a low income
salary.
In the narration the readers could see Julien’s
relief for having Odie in his life it was just hard for him to express. Which
brings me back to nature versus nurture. Julien was obviously raised in a time
or home that did not teach or require him to share his feelings with anyone.
This too could be a reason why his marriage failed.
I just think even
judging a character unfairly is equally as bad as judging a person we do not
know.
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