Compass and a torch analysis
Analysis of “Compass and Torch”
By Elizabeth Baines
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. He seems very masculine, strong and brave from the boy’s point of view. “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: “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
By Elizabeth Baines
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. He seems very masculine, strong and brave from the boy’s point of view. “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: “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