Fathers of Men

"Fathers of Men" by E. W. Hornung is a story set in a public school during the beginning of the 20th century. It follows the lives of Jan Rutter and Carpenter; two new students as they grapple with the challenges of fitting in and making a name for themselves. The tale examines how their understanding of themselves evolves as they encounter social pressures and navigate the awkward transition from childhood into adulthood. Robert Heriot, a housemaster is also introduced and he observes as Jan, who is quiet and introspective, comes to the school carrying emotional scars from a difficult past; while his counterpart, Carpenter, displays an eagerness that conceals his insecurities. The beginning of the novel teases the complex realities the boys must confront as their lives and the schools intersect with their hopes, anxieties, and prejudices.