This Boy S Life Practice Essay

Words: 1262
Pages: 6

6. It is Jack’s lack of a stable, male role model that is to blame for his actions. To what extent do you agree?
Tobias Wolff’s memoir, “This Boy’s Life”, explores the idea that an individual’s actions can be altered due to the people they are exposed to. The protagonist Jack Wolff lives an impressionable life where he undergoes somewhat of a dilemma in relations to his actions, being incapable of changing for the greater good of himself. The absence of a proper male role model plays a large role on Jack’s actions, though is definitely not the only reason. Jack’s actions are influenced by Rosemary’s abusive and power craving ex-husband Roy, as well as Dwight’s violent and arrogant personality. However, Jack is also responsible for his
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Wolff utilizes the effect of sentence length in this same passage, where he transitions from a long sentence to two short and meaningful sentences. By varying the sentence lengths, he is adding emphasis on the fact that he was a thief. Jack’s disobedience is evident when he states that “[he] was the kind of person who took advantage of other people’s kindness, or wrote filth on bathroom walls.” This is a significant quote that portrays the type of person that Jack chooses to be, and as well as how he chooses to act on his own. Wolff presents the idea that an individual’s actions can be positive or negative, depending on their mindset and what their intentions are. It can easily be seen that the actions undertaken by Jack are his own choice, and that he is responsible for these actions.
Additionally, Rosemary has not disciplined Jack enough, and is the reason as to why Jack acts unethically. Throughout the memoir, Wolff presents numerous occasions where Rosemary’s role as a parent is at fault. It is Rosemary’s kind-heartedness which Jack takes advantage of. The fact that Rosemary has “never been able to spank [Jack]”, or that she “couldn’t even raise her voice convincingly” is a prime reason as to why Jack thinks it is acceptable to act immorally. Rosemary’s leniency is highlighted during her discussion with Jack’s vice principal. She simply disregards the vice principal’s remarks by