Essay On Powder By Tobias Wolff

If “If you haven’t driven, you haven’t driven”, to what extent should a parent’s influence affect their children? Tobias Wolff recounts the endeavors of an overly wary son and a rash father over the holidays in the short story “Powder”. An ideal mountain ski getaway takes a disastrous turn when a snowstorm ensues. Finding themselves in a difficult situation, the story illustrates the shift in the son and the father’s relationship. In the text “Powder”, it highlights the profound and far-reaching influence parents have on their children, serving as role models. Building the personal growth of an individual requires a fair amount of parental guidance and direction. Initially, the son and the father proceeded to ski on a whim, unaffected by the bitter weather. Even though the son felt …show more content…

Unfortunately, as they were heading back home for Christmas Eve, a snowstorm made it challenging for the father to do so. To keep his word to the mother, the father carries out a plan to sneak behind the troopers’ back and drive on the closed roadway against orders not to. The lengths to which the father is prepared to go reveal his commitment to redeem himself to the mother and make the family whole once again. As luck would have it, they were able to escape. At this point, clearer traces of the highway free of snow were present and it appeared as though they might make it short enough for dinner. As the story ends, the son understands a greater perspective from his father, to relish and appreciate the present moment more. A parent’s presence in their children’s lives allows their children to gain an understanding of life on a deeper level. In summary, parental role models have a significant and positive impact on their children. The importance of having a parent as a role model extends to a child’s development. Parental influence has the ability to shape and inspire the values, beliefs, and mentality of a