The great santini

             The Great Santini is a novel that deals with the growth, education, and maturation or a person, in this case with Ben. This type of novel is called a Bildungsroman novel. The Great Santini is a story about a son's growth into manhood and his quest to be himself. Ben's father Bull wants him to become a Marine fighter pilot like himself, but Ben says that he may want to be something else. Ben wants to be his own person, but by the end of the novel, after the death of his father, Ben ultimately assumes his father's role.
             When Bull arrives home from Europe, He speaks with Ben about becoming a Marine pilot like he is. Ben says that he might not become one, "I think I'm going to be an Air Force pilot, dad." Bull says that he has already decided for Ben that he will at least try it for four years. "I've already made that decision. You'll decide whether to stay in after four years." In his childhood, Ben does not get the opportunity to make many decisions about his life and the things he does. He does what he does because of his father and what he wants for Ben. Also, he does a lot in order to avoid getting beaten by his father. Though he has a sensitive side from his mother Lillian, Ben is his father's son; he has many of Bull's characteristics. Bull Mitchum is the overpowering figure in Ben's life. Although Ben goes through a lot, there is still a very powerful father son relationship, and Ben loves his dad very much.
             Though Ben may want to be different from his father in some aspects, he is constantly striving to be more like his father throughout the novel. Ben wants to be what the Santini embodies. When Ben realizes that his friend Toomer is in trouble he wants to go help him but Bull says that he cannot. Ben disobeys and goes to help anyway. Unfortunately when he gets there it is too late. Bull asks Ben why he disobeyed him and Ben says, "...A...

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The great santini. (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 05:35, March 29, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/2792.html