A Literary Analysis Of Skeetah

Without their father as a positive influence in their life, the kids are relying on the memory of their mother to get them through hard times. With the dad sick and throwing up, they are taking care of him. It should be the other way around. A father should offer his children guidance and help them out, but instead, they are the ones caring for him as the hurricane approaches. Another passage is also applicable where Skeetah blocks his father's hand as he attempts to slap him. They do not respect their fathers authority, because more often than not, he relies on them, and not the other way around. By taking off his ring, daddy is losing the last remaining connection with the children that he had, which was the mother. All of the fond memories Esch has about her father come in context with the mother, who even after she is dead has a huge influence on the children. …show more content…
Junior remarks that the ring “wasn’t good to him noway”. A comment which reflects his longing for the mother but also his frustration at the father for cutting ties with that part of his life. Junior feels so much frustration because that part of his life is one of the things keeping him going. He remembers it fondly and still uses the lessons he learned from his mother. When they are looking for eggs they keep commenting, “Mama taught us to find eggs”. This is emblematic of how influential she was, but also of their lack of a role model now, as they are receiving guidance from someone who is not alive