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Topic: Analysis of a Short Story

Powder by Tobias Wolff narrates about the interrelation between a son and a father. The story is narrated through Wolff’s perceptive when is much older as compared to his age in the narrative. He explores a strenuous relationship between father and son although their characters are different they ultimately bond over the trip. Through the story, the theme of platonic love is evident whereby the father takes the son on a skiing trip to bond and show him new adventures. Nonetheless, the theme of platonic love is shown through the manner in which the father goes through challenges to gain the trust and love of his son. He overcomes the constraints that the son’s mother has put over his time spent with the son as well as the ski trip and also her worry over taking his son out on the snow. Despite his son’s rigid character, the father tries to show him new adventures such as listening to jazz and the skiing trip (Wolff 4). All these efforts depict the love that the father has for his son.

Although the father is free-spirited and spontaneous, the son perceives his character as “flushed with certainty.” (Wolff 17). Nonetheless, this does not stop the father to be present in his son’s life and cater to his needs. In the book, the author quotes that the father “fights for the privilege of his son’s company.” (Wolff 19). Taken over by his spontaneous character, the father has a deep desire to spend time with his son thus even though he pleads with the mother to return his son home before dinner, he breaks this promise due to the skiing trip. As much as he is troubled over his spontaneous acts, he tries to seek validation for his son on whether he wants him in his life. In light of this, the father depicts a character that is indecisive on being a present and responsible father or acting on his free-spirit. However, his father has a deep love for his son through the way he tells him, “I can’t let that happen…I’ll tell you what I want. I want us all to be together again. Is that what you want?” (Wolff 54).

Moving on, the theme of platonic love is also portrayed through the way the father speeds through a terrain filled with snow so as to get them home safely. Though the son fails to comprehend his father’s action, like his mother he does not approve of these actions. Accustomed to his father’s impulsive nature, the son does not agree with his father’s decisions such as when he is irritated and fearful of his father’s decision to do another snow-run (Wolff 31). At this point, the author uses snow as a symbol to illustrate the theme of platonic love. The snow acts as a medium to strengthen the bond between father and son. Without the snow, they would not go on the skiing trip and also it acts as a platform for the father to show how much he loves his son. Through the snow, the father is able to earn his son’s trust and respect thus it is binding their platonic love for each other. Also, the powdery white snow is a symbol of the formation of a new relationship and bond between father and son. Moreover, the manner in which the snow covers all tracks and terrains is another symbol of the father and son burying their old characters and habits hence indulging in a new adventure that strengthens their bond. On that note, the symbol also means that the son foregoes, his past feeling and perception of his father and starts to trust him and feel affectionate about him (Wolff 26). More so, the roadblock is a symbol of an emotion obstruction between father and son hence It blocks the relationship between the two. By moving the roadblock and surpassing it illustrates his father deep love and admiration to his son and through this, the son is able to trust and love his father back.

In conclusion, the son views his father as an irresponsible man who often lands into trouble thus he renounces all reasoning with the father thus “ sticking to him like a white on rice.” On the contrary, as the father maneuvers them through the thick snow, it comes to the son’s realization that he will manage to get them home safely despite the roadblock. Besides, the son also remembers the ski slopes and how his father guided him along without “sailing off a cliff” (Wolff 23). Thus he begins to entrust his father and slowly embraces his persona. Ultimately, the Wolff utters that, “if you haven’t driven fresh powder, you haven’t driven.” (Wolff 19). Through the trip with his father, he is able to close the ridge between him and his father thus being affectionate towards him. Notably, the theme of platonic love has been displayed throughout the story whereby the author has illustrated the complex relationship between father and son that has ultimately turned into a strong bond.

Works Cited:

Wolff, Tobias. Powder. Blackstone Audio, Incorporated, 2013.