by Fong Tsz-ting, Skyler 

The short story “Reunion” by John Cheever presents the main character Charlie’s disappointment for his father as they reunite.

The story begins with the first-person point of view of Charlie who is initially excited at the prospect of meeting his father, who Charlie hasn’t seen for three years. Cheever paints a picture of hope describing the reunion scene “I hoped that someone would see us together. I wished that we could be photographed. I wanted some record of our having been together” (14). This line alone captures the excitement and delight that rush through Charlie’s head. How he looks forward to the father-and-son bonding moments! The beginning of the story sets up a warm and hopeful start for the reunion.

Then the inciting incident is being introduced as Charlie enters the stage of self-denial triggered by his father’s behaviour. While hanging out together, his father’s true personalities start to emerge -- he is a rude, arrogant, loudmouth man. The story reveals his obnoxious behaviour several times. He argues with every single waiter at every single restaurant: “‘Could we have a little service here!’ he shouted. ‘Chop-chop’” (Cheever, 14). An interesting thing to note here is that Cheever does not reveal how Charlie feels toward his father at this stage, despite Charlie being the witness of it all. 

However, Charlie’s silence is already telling. Charlie has considered his father as a role model before the reunion. “I knew that when I was grown, I would be something like him” (Cheever, 14), but this ideal picture is immediately shattered. Even so, he still follows his father to a different restaurant again and again, implying that Charlie still wants to follow his father and give him another chance. However, the lack of description on Charlie’s feelings might also indicate that he is experiencing internal conflicts and a state of denial.

Charlie finally realises, or perhaps accepts, that his father is an impossible man, and decides to leave. After being silent for so long, Charlie’s first line is “I have to get my train” (Cheever, 16). His father tries to apologise but Charlie insists, “‘I have to go, Daddy… It’s late’” (Cheever, 16). Perhaps Charlie has had enough of his father’s rude behaviour towards other people, or he is disappointed with the failed reconnection. Nonetheless, that is his last encounter with his father, as Charlie notes at the end the story. This is the moment he leaves his father, for good. 

Throughout the story, we witness Charlie’s mood evolving and worsening, in that it parallels the development of the story. In the beginning, Charlie is introduced as an innocent, joyful young man, eager to meet his father. Unfortunately, the reunion is not as he has dreamed of. During the reunion, Charlie’s emotions keep shifting, and he eventually settles in a sad realisation of what the father is really like. The story is, in a way, “resolved” in disappointment.  

Ironically, “Reunion” is a story of separation. Meeting the father for the last time, Charlie can finally say goodbye to an imagined father and move on with a new life. 
 

Works Cited:
Cheever, John. “Reunion.” Sudden Fiction: American Short- short stories, edited by Smith. G.M, 1986.

Writer’s Bio:

Fong Tsz-ting, Skyler

Our assignment was to write an essay about a poem or fiction. I knew from the beginning I would choose fiction even though I preferred poetry. I’ve always liked short stories as a genre: the plot, the characters, the way it is clear and precise, wrapping up everything within a few pages. I picked Cheever’s Reunion because the story is short and straightforward, so immediately I penned down my thoughts and started writing. My approach was to write about how the characterisation paralleled with the plot. I also explored how the protagonist grew and changed after the incident. It was fun to dig a little deeper and try to put the puzzle pieces together. It is a bit shocking for me to say this, but I enjoyed doing this assignment.