Father & Son Short Stories

February 3, 2014 8:24 PM

What are some good short stories that involve a son trying to live up to his father's expectations, but which don't turn out well?
posted by storybored to Writing & Language (7 answers total)

Perhaps not along the lines of what you were thinking of, but Kafka's The Judgment stands the test of time.
posted by war wrath of wraith at 8:30 PM on February 3, 2014

A song? "Cats in the Cradle"
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 9:16 PM on February 3, 2014

"The Lie" by Vonnegut. That's one of my favorites from Welcome to the Monkeyhouse!
posted by Gravel at 9:41 PM on February 3, 2014

Why Johnny Can't Speed, by Allan Dean Foster.
posted by boilermonster at 10:55 PM on February 3, 2014

The Gift of the Prodigal - Peter Taylor. It's told from the father's point of view and the ending is ambiguous as to whether things turn out well as such, but it might fit. There's a brief summary (with spoliers) at the New Yorker here.
posted by Life at Boulton Wynfevers at 5:29 AM on February 4, 2014

A Day's Wait, E. Hemingway, as read by S. Keach.
posted by notyou at 6:10 AM on February 4, 2014

off the top of my head, Calling, by Richard Ford, but it seems it's a recurring theme of his work.
posted by nicolin at 6:26 AM on February 4, 2014