An Analysis of The Wish

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In "The Wish," the speaker examines the relationship he has with his father. It is known that some father and sons have great relationships in which they go out and throw a baseball, go fishing, or even do chores together. On the other hand, some fathers and sons are complete opposites and simply can not get a long. "The Wish" depicts the latter of the two relationships. The speaker wonders, "Does it seem at times the life you want runs to your left and parallel to your own? (ll 3-5)" meaning that he feels as if he and his father will ever be able to reach each other and get along because parallel lines will never meet.

The speaker always wanted to be closer with his father because he, as most kids do, looks up to his father. He wants to do those father and son activities that those happy father son pairs enjoy. The speaker has it absolutely set in his mind how these imaginary times he spends with his father will be; so detailed as to say "we'd move our hands and feet and forget we were father and son standing at the hem of a river (ll 23-26)." With the absence of speaking between the pair, they are occupied only by what they are doing, even with something as simple as standing by the hem of a river. (225)

Something happened on a Tuesday that the speaker mentions several times in this piece. It was on that Tuesday that he realized he can never have a relationship like the one he dreams of with his father.

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