Friday, May 1, 2020

The Rich Brother by Tibias Wolff free essay sample

Their display of sibling resentment, jealousy and utter disgust are evident. Waxler) The brothers really do need each other, but Pete seems to be dependent upon Donald just a little more. Pete, the older of the two siblings, is financially stable and much more successful. He exemplifies the American middle class dream of having everything that money can buy you. His hard work and dedication that he has put into the real estate business has paid off for him. He really does to seem to have any real care of the world, well except for his brother. Donald, being the younger of two is just his opposite. He lives alone and survives out of painting houses because of his large financial debt.He has a spiritual life or new found faith but yet seem to be the more unstable of two. Donald is often drifting from one job to the next so his dependency on his brother for support is vital. We will write a custom essay sample on The Rich Brother by Tibias Wolff or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page It seems as though the non-stability seems not to bother the younger brother at all. He goes thru his life as carefree as allowed. (Hawley) The story proceeds as Pete comes to rescue Donald out of his difficulties. As the two are driving along the road in a car Pete gives Donald $100. However, they fade back into memories of their childhood when the two boys were much younger.Donald reminds Pete how as a kid he wanted to kill him, but Pete just simply replies, children always do such things as to show his brother that it was of no concern. (Wolff) Pete never seems interested to speak about his personal life with Donald, yet Donald asks him if he ever dreams of his younger brother. Unannounced to Donald, Pete has a recurring dream that he is blind and is at the mercies of his brother’s assistance. The blindness seems to be hinted at Pete being in need of genuine wealth, the same wealth that his brother Donald has. Waxler) The story moves along further and the character Webster is presented. He is full of deception and he too, in his own way, is dependent upon others to fulfill his needs. Webster tells the two brothers of a mythic tale of his own dream experience. This dream is much farfetched involving goldmines, but most of all displays his greed. Donald gives away his $100 given to Webster by his brother Pete without hesitation. Pete, learning of what has been done by his brother seems disappointed. He is somewhat angry with Donald’s actions and precedes to throws him out of the car once finding out what he has done.He thinks of how he would answer his wife when she would ask him about his brother. Perhaps he is not worried. He seems to be blinded by his material wealth. So much so that his sensitivity, in a since, has faded. He drives another mile, nodding to the tunes on the radio and pretending to himself that he could face the music of his wife asking , Where is he? Where is your brother? Knowing reality of it all, he turns back to retrieve his brother. (Wolff) Wolff’s story is very familiar to the biblical story of Cain and Able. One brother is said to be the good brother. He’s spiritual and loves God.He is always doing whatever he can to help others. The other brother is said to be hateful. He’s materialistic and has the least concern with God. This brother even goes to the extreme and kills his brother. The difference in character of the two brothers leaves the thought of who really is the rich brother? Is it Pete, the one who has the well rounded life with the wife and daughters, house and boat? Or is it Donald, the more religious of the two, who lives off of his brother but seems to be free of the stress of worrying? He’s carefree and will give what little he has to another.In the end of the story it seems that Wolff tries to show the reader the true meaning of wealth. When first reading the story one really thinks of Pete being the rich brother. He is the financially stable one of the two brothers. He has the wife and children along with the house and boat. It’s fair to say Pete deserve his material success. Pete has been the more responsible and has worked hard. Pete, although more responsible, can take a few pointers from his brother. It seems that he is a little empty and tries to fill his voids by taking care of his brother.Donald is trusting and carefree. He is the spiritual brother and seems to be in less need than his wealthy brother. There are many cases where the both Pete and Donald need one anther but the dream shows that Pete at the mercies of his brother, He is without direction and depends upon Donald for guidance. Maybe Donald can show his brother that although you have wealth and a nice family that stress shouldn’t be a factor. Perhaps he could teach his brother that having all these material things is less important than having a stable life.

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