This creative piece explores the nuanced family ties between Albie and his father, two characters from Tim Winton’s short story, “A Blow, A Kiss”, written from the viewpoint of Albie’s father. The first-person perspective enables the reader to connect with the protagonist’s thoughts and emotions. Moments of my own life are mirrored in Winton’s story; by the relation toin particular Wilf Beacon’s son’s struggle in formingto form an intimate relationship with his father; these moments have. My personal history has influenced my writing perspective.

Winton depicts two distinctive paternal approaches: supportive and abusive. In this peice, I emphasise Wilf Beacon’s brutality to expose the horror of societal violence. I also demonstrate Albie’s father’s morality by using “violence” for good. This approach allows the reader to visualise Albie’s development from childhood (when he requires his Tilley lamp for “security”) to adulthood (when he fearlessly engages in a violent act). Unlike Wilf Beacon, Albie’s father displays love without resorting to violence. I created this piece to suggest that teenagers share a common struggle with developing a tight-knit bond with their fathers.

While my piece demonstrates how men struggle to openly express affection, I highlight that not all fathers have developed similar morals. I attempt to stimulate the reader’s empathy in understanding that, while Wilf Beacon expresses his feelings only through violence, he is not an abusive parent.