Family relationships and their inherent problems are the key components of
this story. The main character Bo Brewster, as well as the other members of
the anger management group, are confronted by these issues. Bo's
relationship with his father is shown the most throughout the story. There
are many trials and tribulations between him and his father, but it
basically comes down to that fact that they are both stubborn. This example
from the book shows exactly that, "I disappeared. For almost seven months I
ceased to exist. Dad persuaded Kathy that if I refused to respond to
discipline, my life would amount to garbage; that she could help me by
respecting his embargo absolutely." (pg.30)
The next selection shows a positive relationship in Bo's life. It's the
relationship between Bo and his mother. While Ellen Brewster feels she
needs to support her husband's parenting, at the same time she wants the
family to get along. "Two days after New Year's, my mother came into the
bedroom and asked how long I was willing to let this go on. I gritted my
teeth, blinked back the tears, and said, 'Forever.' She begged me.
'Please, Bo. Your father won't budge. You know how he is. I hate this.'"
This example is a conversation between Elvis and Bo. It portrays the way
Bo's dad is stacking the deck against his own son for Yukon Jack's. I think
it's sad that Bo's dad would go out of his way to put his son at a
disadvantage with a bunch of college guys he doesn't even know. "Your dad
was showing these guys a bike out of a catalog...and he said he'd get it for
them at no extra charge. They were laughin' and slappin' each other on the
back like a couple of yuppie bite-asses, about what a sweet deal it was to
get a five-thousand-dollar bike for free. I don't know exactly what kind of
daddy you got, Ironman, other than what you've said in here, but I figure
...