ENG ***
Mrs. *****
June 12, 2013
The Importance of a Father in a Family In literature, authors emphasize the importance of family members. In The Piano Man’s Daughter written by Timothy Findley, the role of a father in a family is important. For example, Charlie Kilsworth does not figure out who his father is until long after his mother, Lily Kilsworth, dies. During his childhood, Lily does not tell Charlie who his father is. As a result of such action, Charlie refuses to have children and eventually throws away his relationship with his loving wife. It is when Charlie finds out who his father is, that he finds the courage to raise a child, and marry the woman who loves him dearly. Therefore, knowing one’s father leads to certainty …show more content…
This is the case for Charlie Kilsworth. Having been raised without a father figure and growing up with a lunatic woman of a mother, Charlie’s life is changed when a letter from Eleanor Hess, Lily’s dear old friend, arrives. Eleanor’s letter answers his biggest life question of who his father is. Eleanor writes in her letter: “My dear Charlie… I know who your father was. Your father was my husband - Karl. Karl Hess. Your name is Hess - if you want it” (476). The words “I know who your father was” show that although she denies knowing his father before in their earlier conversations, she is lying. While reading the letter, Charlie states “I turned the page. My eyes hurt. I was afraid” (476). The words “I was afraid” show how Charlie is affected by this turn of events. Eventually, Charlie accepts his fate and learns about his biological father, Karl Hess, who was a Junior Officer in the Imperial German Army. (477) Time passes and by 1940, Charlie welcomes Alexandra back in to his life and re-marries her (489). By 1944, Alexandra gives birth to a baby girl, whose name is Emma (490). By this time, Charlie gains his confidence and is able to raise a