Don't fence me in: that old cowboy song is Dad's motto. He loves the freedom of the open road and not having to account for anyone but himself. Here's the thing, Dad: that's not cool when you're married, and your wife and son need you at home.
In Dear Mr. Henshaw, Beverly Cleary doesn't criticize Dad for loving his freedom. She knows that feeling free to do as you please can be pretty great, and that some people just need that more than others. We hear about how exhilarating it is for Dad to ride high in his truck through the beautiful scenery and open desert. And Leigh complains like crazy about being forced to do things like answer all Mr. Henshaw's questions and clean mildew off the bathroom walls.
Still, the author's message in the book is that growing up demands certain commitments. You have to give up some freedoms to be part of a family. Leigh learns that; his dad doesn't.
Move over, Dad, there's a new grownup in town.
Questions About Freedom and Confinement
- How do Mom and Dad view freedom and confinement? How do these views conflict with each other?
- Do you think Dad could ever give up the freedom of the road and settle down with Mom and Leigh?
- What does Leigh learn about his dad's need for freedom? How does that make him feel?
Chew on This
Dad sees being married and settled like it's a jail sentence.
To Mom, real freedom means not having to worry about a life that's unpredictable and unstable.