Character Analysis
Chuck's dad "owned a big auto parts store near Van Horn, and was also a minister of the Pentecostal church." (20.12) He's a laughing, smiling fellow who wants to believe the best in the boys, even when they do bad. Unlike Dwight, he's a good parent—devising fitting punishments that involve neither open nor closed fists—but he still ends up raising Chuck as a nogoodnik.
He never pressures Jack about religion and seems to want what's best for them. He even takes Jack in for a few months, though it's a dicey relationship at best. Mr. Bolger represents a potentially decent father figure, certainly when compared to the oh-so-delightful alternative. Of course, Jack ends up letting him down anyway when the boys steal gas from a nearby farm. Deep down though, Jack knows he messed up."I knew that Mr. Bolger would see through me and be disgusted." (26.8) Even though their relationship isn't perfect, Mr. Bolger really does care about Jack.