Contrasting Responsibility in Carvers Fever and...

What allows a human being to constantly face-up to the responsibilities of life? What makes a mother or father continue to clothe, feed, and pick up their child from school? What makes a person wake up every morning to go to a job he or she hates, come home, and begin the whole process the following morning? Is it responsibility that makes a person do what they have to do, or rather is it fearing the consequence? Truthfully, this would depend on the situation. Parents would most likely fulfill their responsibility towards their child or children because of love; but a person who hates his or her job probably continues to do it fearing the consequence of unemployment. In the end, one realizes that despite all the responsibilities a person†¦show more content†¦As the plot is established, one realizes that Sonny has been arrested for using heroin and sent to rehabilitation. Consequently, Sonnys brother is so disappointed in him that he initially refuses to even contact him unti l he writes a letter to inform Sonny of his daughters death. When Sonny responds, the first words he writes are, You dont know how much I needed to hear from you (6). This opening sentence jolts Sonnys brother into realizing that at the moment his brother needed him the most, he did not even bother to at least acknowledge him. Before passing away, the narrators mother made him promise to always take care of Sonny: You got to hold on to your brother, she said, and dont let him fall, no matter what it looks like is happening to him and no matter how evil you gets with him. You going to be evil with him many a time. But dont you forget what I told you, you hear? (14). The narrators initial lack of contact might seem that he has forgotten his promise and his responsibility as an older brother. Realistically though, the narrator is angry at Sonnys decisions to take heroin and consequently get arrested. This anger that he holds is preventing him from fulfilling his promise and his responsibility; however, when he receives the letter from Sonny stating, You dont know how much I needed you, the anger dissipates and he realizes that his younger brother is in need of guidance and love rather than anger and ignorance.