New York, September 24 – Literature often explores themes of family dysfunction, epitomized by poet Philip Larkin's famous line: "They fuck you up, your mum and dad./ They may not mean to, but they do." With this in mind, we asked literary experts to identify the most infamous fathers in literature. Today, we focus on paternal figures. Tomorrow, we will discuss mothers.
Complex characters—neither purely good nor evil—make the most compelling stories. Author Andrew O'Hagan emphasizes the importance of humanizing even the most unappealing characters to enhance a novel's depth.
However, some literary fathers are exceptionally difficult to sympathize with. One such figure is Shug Bain from Douglas Stuart's Booker Prize-winning novel, a violent man who deserts his wife and children. He is repulsed by his son Shuggie’s effeminate mannerisms, blaming his wife for the boy’s nature.
Our expert selections include:
James Mortmain, I Capture the Castle – Dodie Smith
Mortmain, a former successful writer plagued by writer's block, threatens his first wife with a cake knife and assaults a neighbor, leading to his imprisonment and his family's destitution. His daughter Cassandra recounts their struggles with humor and insight.
– Carol Lefevre, University of Adelaide
Heathcliff, Wuthering Heights – Emily Bronte
Known for the tumultuous relationship with Catherine, Heathcliff neglects and abuses his son Linton. Heathcliff only meets his son when he’s 13, after Isabella, Linton's mother, dies. The boy's isolation and forced marriage are tools of Heathcliff's revenge.
– Sophie Gee, University of Sydney
Zeus, the Iliad
Zeus, revered as a patriarch, is a flawed figure whose familial transgressions, including the abduction of Leda, catalyze chaos, including the Trojan War. His actions exemplify the archetype of toxic patriarchy.
– Robert Phiddian, Flinders University
Reunion – John Cheever
The short story depicts the protagonist's last meeting with his drunken father. The encounter ends with the father causing chaos in a series of New York restaurants, hinting at a future shadowed by paternal flaws.
– Alex Cothren, Flinders University
Kev, Last Ride – Denise Young
Kev is a dual-edged character—on the run after committing murder, he takes his son Chook with him. Though his actions are reckless, his intentions are rooted in a deep paternal love and protective nature.
– Julienne van Loon, University of Melbourne
Albion Gidley Singer, Dark Places – Kate Grenville
Albion is an incestuous figure whose malevolent presence oppresses his family. Grenville’s portrayal evokes feelings of suffocation and menace, resonating long after the novel concludes.
– Natalie Kon-yu, Victoria University
Sam Pollit, The Man Who Loved Children – Christina Stead
Sam, marked by oppressive sunniness and delusional optimism, thwarts his family's well-being with his narcissism. His self-centered worldview and neglect force his daughter Louisa to contemplate extreme measures for escape.
– Jane Messer, University of Canberra
Allie Fox, The Mosquito Coast – Paul Theroux
A charismatic yet destructive figure, Allie Fox uproots his family to Honduras, seeking refuge from a world he believes is collapsing. His colonial mindset leads to chaos, nearly costing his wife and children their lives.
– Jen Webb, University of Canberra
Captain Ahab, Moby-Dick – Herman Melville
Ahab’s obsession with the white whale leads to neglect of his family and crew, resonating with Melville’s exploration of patriarchy's broader implications.
– Paul Giles, Australian Catholic University
Victor Frankenstein, Frankenstein – Mary Shelley
Victor's hubris creates a monster whom he denies paternal care, setting the tone for horror. Shelley’s novel critiques a father who avoids responsibility for his creation.
– Ali Alizadeh and Vijay Mishra, Monash University/Murdoch University
Thomas Sutpen, Absalom, Absalom! – William Faulkner
Sutpen's ruthless ambition for a dynasty results in personal and familial devastation. Faulkner uses his character to critique the moral failures of the antebellum South.
– Alexander Howard, University of Sydney
(Only the headline of this report may have been reworked by Editorji; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
