Irony in A Father's Story
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Submitted by kizam123 on 03/05/2008 06:26 AM Flag This Paper
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Irony in A Father's Story
Irony in A Father’s Story
Luke Ripley’s life in Andre Dubus’s A Father’s Story is one that is lonesome and abandoned. Through the text we learn that because of Luke’s religion, Catholicism, he has been stripped of his friends, children, and wife. Although it may appear evident that Luke is happy in his small town atmosphere, the truth is that he is deprived. His daily routine of sitting around the house and watching the cars go by indicates that something is missing from his life. As the reader advances throughout the story, it is apparent that the role of his religion led to his divorce, which in turn took away his children and nearly destroyed his life.
The marriage that Luke and Gloria Ripley had before the divorce was never one that exemplified an ideal relationship. Although their marriage was one that expressed love and understanding, it nevertheless included the arguments and confrontations that any marriage would have had. In the beginning, Luke and Gloria’s marriage was driven solely by their love for each other and the Catholic Church. However, by conforming to the rules set forth by the Catholic Church, Luke and Gloria soon discovered the difficulties and hardships a Catholic relationship might be comprised of.
The lack of a sexual element in their marriage was possibly the biggest factor in why the two inevitably divorced. The Catholic Church states that sex is for procreation but is deemed acceptable only during the time they consider a “safe period.”