Our Fathers | Themes

Our Fathers Themes

Self-Discovery

The reader is given the notion that, while Jamie was content in England, he unknowingly has been hiding from any self-identity resembling Robert or Hugh. He has also lived with a firm decision never to have any children of his own—although towards the end of his journey, he discovers another part of himself and realizes he could actually make a good father, despite past circumstances.

Jamie also discovers the similarities between Hugh and Famie and between Robert and Hugh—certain things have carried through, even by the way they perform everyday tasks or arrange their homes. Unfortunately, Hugh's disdain for Robert (which may have started out only as disappointment) carried through with Robert's disdain for Hugh. This eventually gave way to Robert and Jamie's mutual disdain for each other. When Jamie meets a fully recovered and reborn Robert, Robert tells him that he never hated Hugh; they simply never understood one...
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