Chapter 6, Authority Summary and Analysis

After seeing examples of great fathers, Miller searches for a reason to explain the lack of men in his life. He admits that his immaturity drove off many potential male influences. His actions to prove his undeserving nature work that way. As a result, he grows up feeling insecure because he did not fit in a male society. It is natural, he points out, to fear those by whom one is intimidated.

Men, Miller envisioned, participate in a club. They meet secretly and share wisdom about women, cars and the like. Because of his sense of isolation, Miller grows up trying to prove his manhood by various acts of immaturity. Without a strong male authority in his life, Miller comes to suspect the motivations of all male authority. He fails to see a connection between authority and love.

John...