Russell Baker A Visit With The Folks Analysis

In the beginning of A Visit With the Folks, Russell Baker’s outlook on life seems somewhat grim. While he shows some enthusiasm for the memories he holds of his family, his tale starts off with a subconscious cloud of gloom and grief. He seems stressed, but also looks forward to reminiscing about his family for relaxation. By the end of his visit, he has a refreshed perspective on life. The story begins with his arrival at an old church, on a quest to visit the graves of his deceased family. He starts out with a somewhat bleak mood, and he seems somewhat unappreciative of his gorgeous surroundings because his family cannot see them as well. Russell thinks the fields of flowers and mountainside view are “so pleasing that it’s a pity they can’t enjoy it.” These unenthusiastic views change, however, when he glances at the gravestones in the church cemetery.
He views the tombstones in the …show more content…
He lets himself enjoy the scenery, which improves his mood even more. While mulling over the advice and lessons he has received from his relatives, he comes to the conclusion that the small things in life are not worth getting overly worked up over. In particular, he decides “that having your shins kicked in the subway is not the gravest insult to dignity ever suffered by common humanity.”
After that, he reaches the old schoolhouse. There, he begins thinking about his two great-grandfathers, as well as two more of his uncles, Irvey and Edgar. Unfortunately, he doesn’t feel much of a connection with his first great-grandfather or Uncle Irvey. However, he does with his Uncle Edgar, who he remembers as “an important man, the manager of the baseball team.” Though he feels a connection with Uncle Edgar, Russell decides he will not disturb him, because he sees him as an “important man.” It shows that he has a lot of respect and fondness for his Uncle Edgar, and wishes to leave him in peace because of