Arm Wrestling With My Father

Words: 432
Pages: 2

“He’s alright, my dad.” This line, from one of my favorite picture books as a child, is probably what Brad Manning, the author of “Arm Wrestling with My Father,” believes about his dad. Manning clearly show in his essay, using a motif, an anecdote, and a non-visual imagery, that fathers don’t have to be emotional and weepy to display love and affection. The use of physicality as a motif is very poignant in this regard- most clearly exemplified through the arm wrestling, but in other places as well. It is carried consistently throughout the essay as a representation of their non-emotional yet still powerful relationship and how it changes other the years. Using a “bike helmet” article and contrasting Manning’s father’s attitude about orchestra