Who is The Author's Parents from A Walker in the City and what is their importance?

The author's parents, and particularly his mother, are portrayed as playing defining roles in his teen years. Both come across as hard working, devoted to their son and his welfare, also devoted to the Socialist cause (which, they believe, will help their son realize his potential as both a human being and a Jew), but unable in many ways to express that devotion in any affectionate, loving way.