20153_AML 2020_9556
July 22, 2015

Evidence that Charlie Wales is not Ready for Parenthood

In the first chapter, Charlie explains to the barman at the Ritz Hotel that he has returned to Paris “for four or five days to see my little girl” (1145). Charlie’s previous life style, mistakes and the use of alcohol resulted in him losing guardianship of his daughter Honoria. Charlie was absent from Honoria’s life for 10 months but now feels he is ready to be a father again. Good parenting skills include characteristics such as nurturing, being a good role model, taking an active role in the child’s life, having the ability to set limits and being truthful. Throughout the story, Charlie makes choices and comments that demonstrate he misses his old lifestyle, providing sufficient evidence that he is not fully reformed nor ready to be a parent again. In the opening of the story, Charlie is at the bar of the Ritz Hotel. He does not directly admit that he was an alcoholic but Alix the barman states, “You were going pretty strong a couple of years ago" (1145). Charlie explains to the barman that he has slowed down on his drinking and "I've stuck to it for over a year and a half now" (1145). The obvious dichotomy is that Charlie, a recovering alcoholic is sitting in a bar explaining his new habits to a barman. Recovering alcoholics do not visit bars if they are attempting to stay sober. Charlie needs to be a good role model for Honoria, but he is having trouble leaving his past behind. Reminiscing, Charlie asked Alix, “Remember the night of George Hardt’s bachelor dinner here?” (1145). The question implies that he had fond memories of the evening. He is curious to know how other old friends are doing and continues to question Alix about others from the his party days in Paris, including Mr. Campbell, Mr. Schaeffer, Claude Fessenden and the Snow Birds. This might