This Photo Compilation Story project, is taking certain quotes that are the most important and collectively explain the most important plot points. The short story that this project is based on is called, “Father and Son” by Morley Callaghan. It portrays the struggle of a relationship between father and adolescent son in the late sixties to early seventies in Ireland.
EXPOSITION: “He will stand in his bare feet, his shoes and socks in his hand, looking at me. I will sleep for him” (165.)
This shows that the father is still checking to make sure that his son is home, well, and safe. Even though their relationship is dysfunctional, they are the only ones there for each other still. The son sleeps for his father because he doesn’t want to talk to him.This fits exposition as it describes the father a bit in his behavior, that its set in a house and that the son does not want to have a conversation.
RISING ACTION: “I let you go once—and look what happened” (167.)
The father let him go, as in out of the house out of pure frustration of not knowing what to do with son anymore despite his efforts. And he regrets it because letting his son go caused his son to involve himself, I’m assuming drugs.It leads up to the climax as t foreshadows that something bad could happen again.
RISING ACTION: “I had to go collect you. Like a dog” (168.)
The father had to go to an institution, or hospital to pick up his son. Most likely the son had an overdose. The way that his father refers to his son as a dog shows that he is ashamed of his son yet still has a need to care for him. Again it shows the son has done something bad and that it could happen again which will lead up to the climax.
RISING ACTION: “There is a bang. A dishcloth drops from my hand and I run to the kitchen door” (169.)
The father hears a bang and is obviously very worried. He was previously washing dishes, and runs over to see if his son is safe. This is basically the last clue or line before the bi reveal of the sons life finale.
CLIMAX: “my son is lying on the floor, his head on the bottom stair, his feet on the threshold” (169.)
This shows the climax as throughout the entire story we wan to know whether something dramatic is going to happen. At last we know that at this point his son is possibly dead.
FALLING ACTION: “Your nose is bleeding” (169.)
At the bottom of the stairs bleeding.This line normally, we would associate with a punch to the face. He could have just gotten knocked out and hit his head at the bottom of the stair.
FALLING ACTION: “something cold at the back of your neck” (169.)
This line really makes us think about whether or not he was punched in the face or shot, and its clarified.
DENOUEMENT: “My son, let me put my arms around you” (169.)
This not only shows the wave of grief that the father has now experienced but confirms that his son is truly dead. And him asking permission to hold his is more of a surrendering permission which adds to the melancholic mood.