The Rich Brother: the Role of Arrogance in Straining Familial Bonds

“The Rich Brother” Summary

The definition of arrogance is having or revealing an exaggerated sense of one’s importance or abilities. Being arrogant may cause someone not to show affection towards people and not demonstrate loving characteristics. In The Rich Brother, there are two brothers, Pete and Donald. Pete is the older brother, and Donald is younger. Throughout the story, the reader can begin to realize that Donald is very arrogant. This causes the relationship between the brothers to be very fragile.

It is as if Donald does not even care for Pete.

Character Portraits: Pete and Donald

The oldest brother, Pete, has two kids, a wife, and is very successful. At the same time, Donald is single with no kids and not doing so well. The first hint about Donald being arrogant is when the author describes him. The text says, “The trouble was that Donald could not content himself with worrying about his soul. He had to worry about everyone else’s, especially Pete’s (Wolff 327)”. This gives the reader an idea of how Donald already is without knowing anything about him.

The first encounter in the story where Donald shows arrogance is when the brothers are on the phone. Donald had recently moved to a farm where he worked, and Pete called to check on him. The conversation started with Pete. The text says, “Now listen,” Pete said, “you do not have to stay in that place if you do not want to.” I will be all right,” Donald answered (Wolff 328)”. This is one example of how Donald is arrogant and is steadily trying to push his brother away.

The conversation continued, and Donald eventually gave in to live with his brother. They even continue to argue because Donald does not want to let Pete get him and would instead take a bus or hike home. This shows a characteristic of arrogance, which is problematic. Arrogant people tend to be very difficult and hardly allow people to help them during a time of need. Eventually, Pete convinces him to let him get him. Donald does not like to accept his brother’s help, and Pete realizes that when he receives a letter concerning his brother. The note reveals how Donald was not there for work but for a program. The author wrote, “So what happened?” he asked. “Farm life, not your bag?” Donald took some time to answer, and at last, he said,…… “Do not play dumb, Pete. I know they wrote you.” (Wolff 330)”. This shows how Donald hardly wants to open up to his big brother, which causes them to be distant.

Arrogance Manifested in Actions and Decisions

Later, Pete and Donald are still on their way home, and an argument begins. Donald is trying to figure out if Pete was told anything else about the farm that he was on. Donald eventually confronts him. Donald said, “You compulsively make me look foolish” (Wolff 330). It is as if Donald is trying to accuse his brother of something. Later on in the conversation, Donald asks, “Do you remember when you used to try to kill me? (Wolff 331). Pete eventually replied, “I remember you had an operation. I am trying to remember the specifics; that is all.

Moreover, I surely do not remember trying to kill you” (Wolff 331). Another characteristic of an arrogant person is to be angry and want to seek approval. In this scenario, Donald seems to be seeking approval from Pete by provoking him and wanting him to admit what he did to him, and it also seems that Donald has much anger towards his brother from their childhood.

Lastly, an arrogant person needs to accept his or her mistakes better. On the way home, Pete and Donald pick up a man named Mick Webster, whose daughter is very ill. Mick needed a ride to see her. Later on in the car ride, Pete becomes tired and switches seats with Donald so he can drive and Pete can rest. While Donald is driving, Pete falls asleep for about twenty-five minutes, according to Donald. After he wakes, Webster is gone, and Donald reveals to Pete that he gave Webster one hundred dollars. The story says, “Donald said. “And I just did not give him the money.” “What do you call it, then? What do you call what you did?” “I invested it. I wanted a share, Pete.” (Wolff 337)”. Donald needs to realize his mistake by giving that man the money without asking his brother first; it seems it was Pete’s money, not his.

In conclusion, the two brothers have a very rough relationship. Donald pushes his brother away numerous times and hardly opens up to him. A reader can also tell how their relationship is damaged by the way Donald blames his brother for certain things that he did not do and how Donald can not own up to his mistakes. Donald’s arrogance makes it hard for him to love his brother, so the relationship is rough.

Reference

1. Wolff, T. (1987). The Rich Brother. In The Stories of Tobias Wolff. Vintage Contemporaries.

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