Drugs and Alcohol Abuse

Keegan McClenahen

2-11-07

Vowell/Manning

Brad Manning’s “Arm Wrestling with My Father” and Sarah Vowel’s “Shooting Dad” are both good stories that tell a tale about growing up with a dominate male figure.

Vowell and Manning write great descriptive stories that share many and contrasts. Although both Vowell and Manning tell a compelling story about coming of age and love for your father, there are also differences which each story stands on it’s own.

Both Vowell and Manning’s stories talk about the trials and tribulations growing up with a father figure. They both explain how difficult is understanding affection from their fathers at a young age. As each writer gets older, their relationship with their father blooms. Manning’s father’s arms are to Vowell’s dad’s guns. They are seen as the protectors of the family and the main conflict of each story. The main theme of each story is the writer showing an affection through their stories. Both of stories the writers’ speak of a younger siblings also, Manning has his little brother, Vowell has her little sister.

“Now you say when” is what he always said before an arming wrestling match.(manning, 145)

Manning’s story is about a father and son’s physical bond. When Manning was young he and his father would arm wrestle. As Manning gets older the arm wrestling just wasn’t about fun anymore it was a competition between father and son. Manning felt that he needed to beat his father in the competition to become truly be accepted by his father and even more to accept himself. While there is some competition in Vowell’s story, It’s more about her differences with her father. Manning begins to mature even more and starts to realize his father is getting older. Manning starts realizing how precious his relationship with his father was when he beats his father arm wrestling. Manning must deal with the task of becoming an adult and worries that his relationship with his father will fall apart. It’s a story that tells the relationship of males and how they interact with each other. The story’s tone is more about a love for athleticism and sportsmanship.

“I’m not saying who was the Democrat or who was the Republican -- my father or I -- But I will tell you that I have never subscribed to Guns & Ammo, that I did not plaster the family vechile with NRA stickers, and that hunter’s orange was never my color”(Vowell, 153)

Vowell’s