This Boy’s Life by Tobias Wolff Essay

ii. This Boys Life is not only approximately hardship it is also about determination and resourcefulness. Discuss.Wolffs memoir This Boys Life positions its re fruit drinkrs to question the ability of Tobias and his mother to change their luck. In the midst of the post-war conservative backlash the pair are caged by societal norms that prevent them from acheiving their dreams of transformation. Furthermore, Tobias impracticality and sense of entitlement lead him to reject opportunities. Despite this, the memoir ends on an starry-eyed note. The reader closes the novel with the belief that the lessons the pair have learned throughout their journey may offer them a go on to emend their lives. The societal norms and expectations of the 1950s post-war America inhibit Tobias and his mothers ability to transform their lives. Tobys sense of self worth is completely broken by his softness to meet the eras stereotypes of masculinity.The notion that he could not break down his sense of bei ng at fault to its components who he is reveals his inability to give up his identity with social expectations. Wolff juxtaposes Tobys natural confide to seek status with his complete and total discomfort with this own self. The contrast between the peaceable and loving young boy who cries at a squirrels funeral and the gun-toting, rebellious teenager is a stark one. It reveals the overpowering need that Toby feels to conform. The memoir reveals that bureau in which Tobias need to fit in prevents him from pursuing success. Rather than change his luck, as he initially intended, Tobias camouflages himself in the safety of social norms and joins the army. His choice to homecoming to the clear life of uniforms, ranks and weapons cements his future. He decides to commit to leading an average life through conformity rather than stay true to his identity and pursue hisdreams of status and wealth.rosemary is similarly trapped by societal customs. Post-war America designates her one po sition in life the role of a housewife and mother. This convention cages her, disrespect her attempts to escape it. The memoir emphasises the perpetual cycle of abuse that Rosemary and her son are subjected to. The opening line of the text, Our car boiled over again., demonstrates the repetitive and fruitless nature of Rosemarys attempts to transform her life. The inability of the 1950s women to escape from abuse is a prevalent element of the text. It reveals the way in which such situations were handle as normal and largely tailord. The strangeness of the cycle of abuse and oppression over the years became normal to both Tobias and his mother. Eventually, despite her efforts to run from men she was afraid of, Rosemary is unable to escape the pervasive violence in her life. Both she and Tobias adopt the same view of the abuse as the rest of the society does. They opt to ignore it and turn a blind eye languidly convincing themselves that the strange noises came from cats.Thus, so cietal expectations prevent Rosemary and Tobias from acheiving their dreams of transformation. It is not social norms alone that hinder the pairs progress in society. Tobys impractical and idealistic nature also damage his chances of success. He feels a sense of entitlement that prevents him from working hard to improve his circumstances. Toby manages to lie and manipulate his way into a good school, Hill, but does not put any effort to secure his future there. Instead, he considers it his desire and his right to be a part of this great world. Even the prospect of being expelled due to failing classes does not spur him into action. He simply prays equal a moslem that he will be allowed to stay. In a similar manner, he also wastes opportunities to escape granted by Mr Bolger who offers him a recourse from Dwights abusive household. He is welcomed by the family, yet he does nothing to repay their kindness.The troubles he causes them though his actions are forgivable, but his price a nd inability to recede responsibility for his own wrongdoings destroy his chances of remaining in his adoptive home. Tobias refuses to apologise for siphoning fuel out of the neighbours trucks. This brings shame on him and incites resentment from the Bolgers who have offered him a chance to change his future. Rather than take responsibility for his actions he leaves a dummy in his place to look sorrybut heis nowhere in the neighbourhood. This facade of regret ultimately prevents him from finding a new home. Wolffs memoir, however, closes on an optimistic note.Toby is once again on the road, posed for flight, and jaunt toward a brighter future. The passage is reminiscent of the opening of the text. The difference, however, is that this time Tobias is equipped with the resilience, resourcefulness and determination that he has gained from his troubled childhood. The final lines of the memoir are full of wish as Tobias shouts hymns at the top of his lungs and drives along the road to an uncertain but optimistic future.This causes the reader to question whether his dreams of transformation have truly been saved, or whether Toby is simply filled with the same naivety that he possessed at the beginning of the memoir. The pervasive idea of transformation and changing luck in Wolffs This Boys Life are hindered by multiple obstacles. Social norms and Tobys personal attributes prevent the pair from transforming their lives in the memoir. The reader is leftover with an overwhelming sense of optimism, however though which Tobias Wolff suggests that these dreams may eventually be realised.