The Boy Grew Older

"The Boy Grew Older" by Heywood Broun is a story from the early 1900's about a man named Peter Neale whose world turns upside down when he becomes a dad, forcing him to face his own shortcomings and the complicated realities of relationships. The story looks at the big ideas of duty, affection, and the emotional challenges that come with growing up. At the start, Peter is at a poker game when he finds out about the birth, which shows how he's torn between what society expects and what he wants for himself. Even though he's glad his wife and baby are okay, he feels distant from being a father and sees his son as someone he doesn't know. There are hints of problems in his marriage with Maria, the mother, who seems resentful towards their situation and the demands of taking care of a baby. This creates a feeling of emotional struggle and gets ready for Peter's path to figure out how to be a father while also working through the messiness of his own life.