Two Wolves

One of the most pervasive drivers of conflict in Two Wolves is the relationship between Ben Silver and his father, Ray. However, this is not the only father-son relationship explored by this text; the novel also dives into Ben’s grandfather and the effects of his actions on his two sons, Ray and Chris. This exploration of paternal relationships is central to the text and characterizes the text’s male characters. Through exploring these relationships, the narrative presents examples of multiple father-son relationships, including both relationships that continue toxic cycles and a central relationship that demonstrates that those cycles can be broken.

Though Two Wolves employs a third-person perspective, the writing is from Ben’s perspective; the reader has access to Ben’s thoughts and opinions, and the narrative follows his journey. When Ben’s father is introduced in Chapter 2, the description is therefore based on Ben’s impressions, which shows the relationship that they have established before the events of the story. Ben’s father is described as “skinny and serious” with an “armful of tattoos, black wraparound sunglasses, and a dirty cap with a gas company logo on it” (12). From the visual description, the reader gains the impression of a man who values open displays of