Literary Analysis Essay on The Bath by Dianne Benedict

Introduction

In the short story "The Bath," the author Dianne Benedict reveals the extreme inner life and a potential revelation of what takes place in society. The author portrays the two men, Jesus Miguel and Roy Junior's father, as irresponsible and unkind to their families. As the author explains the extent to which the two neglect their families, she illustrates that Roy's father's last time to visit his family was four years ago. Jesus Miguel angrily abuses his wife, and the child physically then drives off (Benedict 96). Roy Junior is portrayed as a caring boy who grows up in a not so loving environment. He is sympathetic to those around him and shows love to his family, including Rosa Carmela and his grandmother. The author also portrays the females as vulnerable individuals who the husbands often abuse either emotionally or physically.

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Roy Junior's attitude towards the other two men is negative. He feels neglected by the father as he spent most of his time in other parts of the country, and the last time he visited them was four years ago. He also feels that Jesus Miguel neglects his family by the way he treats them. He sees them as irresponsible as they do not take up their roles in the family. As the author describes Roy Junior's father's disconnection from his family, he explains that during his free time, he would sit with a bottle of whiskey and cigarettes. The author also suggests that he was barely at home, and the last time he was seen at home was four years ago (Benedict 96). As he remembers the many times his father had promised to carry him along, he feels that his father is unreliable. Roy Junior also feels that Jesus Miguel is irresponsible as he mistreats his wife and is insensitive about how he treats his family (Benedict 98). He also sees the men as angry as Jesus Miguel angrily pulls his wife and child from the truck then drives away.

Roy Junior is not in any danger of following in their footsteps. Despite having an irresponsible father and growing up in an environment where men treat their wives and children with contempt, he is sympathetic to Rosa Carmela. He attempts to calm her using his harmonica (Benedict 98). He also grows in an environment where his mother is affectionate to his father's mother. Therefore, it is possible he will be different from the other two men. The author also suggests that he has a deep love for Rosa Carmela, which makes him different from the other men (Benedict 98). He seems to be a loving male as he treats women with love.

Roy Junior claims to be deeply in love with Rosa Carmela. However, he only understands love in the family. The author describes that his mother used to take care of his grandmother, and his mother also loved him. In his early days, the grandmother used to spoil him. It is evident that he has never experienced intimate love between two people. The author suggests that Roy Junior's father was always away in other parts of the country. Whenever he was at home, there is no point that they spent time with his mother. Besides, he sees Jesus Miguel treating his wife, Rosa, with bitterness (Benedict 98). However, Roy might have believed in intimate love due to his grandparents, as the author suggests that his grandmother has her wedding ring even at the time of her demise.

Roy junior only understands familial love. His family is warm and treat each other with love apart from the father who spends most of his time away from them. Even in his early days, the author suggests that his grandmother used to spoil him, which shows that they are close as a family. His mother also takes care of his father's mother despite his father being away (Benedict 97). In their conversations during the bath, he would hear his mother assure his grandmother that everything is okay regardless of the accusations she experienced from her neighbor. The author also illustrates that Roy's mother lacks inner peace whenever the grandmother is in stress showing how the family loves each other. Moreover, even at the time of his grandmother's demise, Roy and his mother take care of his grandmother by cleaning her and ensuring the soiled beddings were cleaned.

The people around him shape Roy's understanding of love. He understands familial love but does not have a good experience of intimate love. Those around him seem to treat their spouses in an unloving manner. There is no romantic love between married couples as they mistreat their wives. Jesus Miguel abuses his wife and child physically despite them being married. His father is rarely at home (Benedict 98). It, therefore, implies that he does not believe in intimate love. He, however, believes in familial love as his family is portrayed by the author as always caring for each other's needs. His mother always seems to care for her family despite being neglected by her husband. Moreover, Rosa Carmela cares for her child as she nurses her despite everything she is going through from her husband. Roy Junior, however, seems to love the vulnerable as he attempts to ensure that Rosa Carmela rests without being disturbed. He also seems to worry about his grandmother's condition.

Work Cited

Benedict, Dianne. Shiny Objects. University of Iowa Press, (1982): 95-101.