Skip to main content

From Philbrick's Freak the Mighty, what are examples of times when Kenny Kane tries to be a good father to Max?

Kenny Kane kidnaps his son Max from the grandparents' house in chapter 16 of Philbrick's Freak the Mighty. From the onset, Kane continually tells the young teenager that Max's grandparents poisoned his mind against his father. These comments are Kane's way of trying to get Max to know that he cares about him, but it's not very effective coming from a kidnapper. Kane also vows that he never killed anyone. By informing his son...

Kenny Kane kidnaps his son Max from the grandparents' house in chapter 16 of Philbrick's Freak the Mighty. From the onset, Kane continually tells the young teenager that Max's grandparents poisoned his mind against his father. These comments are Kane's way of trying to get Max to know that he cares about him, but it's not very effective coming from a kidnapper. Kane also vows that he never killed anyone. By informing his son that he isn't a killer, he is trying to comfort his son and make Max believe he is a good man. Additionally, Killer Kane discusses his plans to provide for his son and himself in the future in chapter 17. Trying to comfort Max and telling him his dad is a good man seems like ways that a good father would act.


Another way that Kane tries to show that he is a good father is by asking the following:



"Now the other thing is the geezers you've been living with all these years. I bet they never gave you the presents I sent you, did they?" (111).



This gesture seems nice, but there is no way of telling if Kane actually sent presents because Max never got them. If Kane did send Max gifts from prison, that would certainly be a sign that he has cared about his son all along. 


Kenny Kane also tells Max that he knows about Grim and Gram placing him in resource classes. Kane says that no child of his will ever be considered slow or challenged in any way. He simply advises Max to act smart, and he will be smart. Although uninformed about Max's educational situation, Kane does show a vote of confidence for Max that may have been unexpected. Good fathers do believe in their sons no matter what, so believing that Max is smart can also be an example of how Kane shows his son that he is a good dad.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...
Post a Comment
Read more

In Martel's Life of Pi, how does writing a diary help Pi Patel build on his leadership skills?

At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can... At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can do this by writing down events, problems and solutions, and reflections to look back on when confronted with repeated problems. It can ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Why did Tybalt attack and kill Mercutio instead of Romeo, who he had originally been targeting?

Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio... Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio and Benvolio, Mercutio responds "And but one word with one of us?/ Couple it w...
Post a Comment
Read more