Narratives about prodigal children generally have reconciliation as their goal; this typically involves repentance followed by unconditional forgiveness.
In Berriault’s hands, such forgiveness isn’t on the table.
“What the hell else did you do with your life?” Eli’s father wants to know.
“Could be you’re being punished for wrecking your life.” He has nothing to offer his son, no comfort, no wisdom.
By the end of the story, Eli is, in a sense, reconciled with his mother and father, seeing them as objects of love and sorrow.
Persons:
isn’t, ”, ” Eli, “, Eli, he’s, “ He’d, he’d, she’d, bafflement, Celie, Jim Crow
Locations:
”, Seattle