Compare/Contrast Essay: Brother Dear and The Charmer

Compare/Contrast Essay The Canadian short stories “Brother Dear” by Bernice Friesen and “The Charmer” written by Budge Wilson focus on the struggles and common conflicts between parents and their children during adolescence. Both stories are told in the younger sister’s point of view and show how everyone matures and gains independence throughout and at the end of the story. Friesen and Wilson’s short stories over all focus mainly on the theme of dysfunctional families; which can be represented through the characters, symbolism, and conflict in the stories. Both parts of the family: the parents and the children, play a part in what is considered a ‘dysfunctional family’. In the story “Brother Dear” the son Greg is expected to stay and be successful in school so he can become successful and wealthy like his father wants. This is not what Greg wants to do with his life. Greg rather do something with the environment, like travel with Greenpeace and work at a job that requires him to go “tree planting” (Viewpoints 31). When Greg returns home to tell his parents that he didn’t make it into his final exam, his parents are very frustrated and don’t see Greg’s point of view, which causes Greg to leave and go out on his own in the free world to do what he wants. In the story “The Charmer”, the son Zack uses his ‘charm’ to get whatever he wants from his family. His parents always give into him when he puts on a dramatic act that causes them to feel guilty and feel sorry for him. Everyone bowed down to all of Zack’s commands. “He was athletic, won races, amassed trophies. He got lead parts in school plays. He won class elections. And he was beautiful. His face was rugged and laughing; his body was muscular and golden, even in January. He moved with the grave of a tiger. He Dazzled. He shone” (Viewpoints 104) which is why no one could resist giving into Zack’s desires. When Zack’s sister Lizzie was in the hospital with leukemia, he only attempted to go and see her once. He