Two Wolves

One of the most pervasive drivers of conflict in Two Wolves is the relationship between Ben Silver and his father, Ray. However, this is not the only father-son relationship explored by this text; the novel also dives into Ben’s grandfather and the effects of his actions on his two sons, Ray and Chris. This exploration of paternal relationships is central to the text and characterizes the text’s male characters. Through exploring these relationships, the narrative presents examples of multiple father-son relationships, including both relationships that continue toxic cycles and a central relationship that demonstrates that those cycles can be broken.

Though Two Wolves employs a third-person perspective, the writing is from Ben’s perspective; the reader has access to Ben’s thoughts and opinions, and the narrative follows his journey. When Ben’s father is introduced in Chapter 2, the description is therefore based on Ben’s impressions, which shows the relationship that they have established before the events of the story. Ben’s father is described as “skinny and serious” with an “armful of tattoos, black wraparound sunglasses, and a dirty cap with a gas company logo on it” (12). From the visual description, the reader gains the impression of a man who values open displays of masculinity and toughness. It’s no surprise, then, that he frequently clashes with his son, who is sensitive, sweet, and thoughtful. Ben’s father’s response to his son’s personality is frequently verbal abuse; for instance, when Ben is scared to enter his grandfather’s abandoned cabin, his father first mocks him, calling him a “big girl.” Then, when Ben has his back turned, he jumps out and scares him, causing his son to scream.

While Ben resents this treatment, he also replicates his father’s behavior early in the story; he teases his little sister and lashes out physically when his father steals his journal. Above all, Ben internalizes his father’s insults and has low self-esteem. Their early relationship asserts the importance of a father-son relationship; boys learn to be men from their fathers, and Ben’s father teaches Ben that manliness is cold, harsh, and sometimes violent. This is reinforced when the narrative reveals more details about Ben’s grandfather. Early on, he is a bit of a mysterious figure, but Ben learns that he was a thief and a scammer, and Ben’s father and uncle inherited his criminal tendencies. His grandfather also neglected his sons, hinting that Ray’s coldness might be modeled after his own paternal relationship. The Silver family shows how a poor father-son relationship can result in sons replicating their fathers’ worst characteristics.

This causes a crisis within Ben, who has always desired to be on the right side of the law and to become a detective. He continually worries whether having criminal parents “mean[s] that you [are] more likely to become a criminal too” (135). However, during his and Olive’s escape into the woods, Ben acts differently than his father would, becoming a protector for his sister and ensuring they make it out together. By the end of the narrative, he stands up to his father by doing the right thing, a move that proves to be right for his family—a year later, they are more stable, casting Ben as a provider of sorts. When forced to physically fight his father, Ben comes out on top, demonstrating that he can defend himself even while being a sensitive person. After this, Ben decides that he doesn’t need to lead a life of criminality; he can make his own choices. While sons can inherit their fathers’ toxic behaviors, sons also have the power to break harmful cycles and create new models of masculinity.