The wealthy brother dissertation

Tobias Wolffs The Rich Close friend is a history of two brothers, Donald and Pete. These friends have incredibly contrasting standards of living, Pete is a successful businessman with a better half and kids. Jesse, on the other hand, is definitely an outcast. Hes unemployed and irresponsible. He lives his your life as a vagabond. Despite these kinds of facts, the successful sibling, Pete, continue to lacks the self-esteem he desperately craves. Therefore he attempts to make his brother, Donald, feel unreasonable with every probability he gets.

Pete foretells Donald in a really condescending and patronizing way. For example , once Donald leaks a soda in Petes car, Pete responds sarcastically, Great, just great (293). He then later yells at Jesse for not obtaining gas. He says to Donald, Why don’t you use your face? What if we run out? (302). Shortly after the pop-spilling incident takes place, Pete begins to annoy Donald regarding explaining just how he acquired kicked out from the religious community. Donald says to Pete, You have this compulsion to create me appearance foolish (295). Pete replies that Jesse makes him self look foolish.

Pete believes his ethics and morals will be superior to Donalds. Pete thinks that a person should be accountable and that achievement is based on wealth, Therefore , he’s very economical with his money and is convinced it is irresponsible to just give it away. So the moment Donald provides hundred dollars to a new person (Mick Webster), Pete greatly says How come did you choose to give it the money to him? $ 100. Gone. The same as that. I actually worked for that money, Jesse (303).

Pete enjoys caring for Donald (financially). This gives him a feeling of control and power. It gives him the self-esteem that he needs. He attempts to make Jesse feel guilt ridden for credit money from charlie. He tells Donald, You wont spend me back. You cant. You dont know how (304). With condescending comments such as these, Pete reduces Donalds really worth in order to increase his individual worth.

While the story progresses, Donald begins to understand why Pete acts roughly towards him. He says, I understand why do it. Its mainly because you have zero purpose anytime. Youre worried to relate with people who perform, so you make fun of them (295). Pete after that tells Jesse that he had a dream with him in it. He says, There was a problem with me, and you were helping out. Taking care of myself. (297). This dream symbolizes Petes emotional dependency about Donald in real life.

As a result of Petes own insecurities, he latches on to Donald and exposes Donalds faults to selfishly increase his very own self-esteem. He makes contumelious comments when hes offered the chance. This individual tries to produce his brother feel second-rate in every possible way (financially, ethically, morally). Pete is a good example of a person who features every materials position but nonetheless isnt content with their life. Whereas his brother, Donald, has no material possessions but seems at ease with the life hes living.

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