My Father’s Axe by Tim Winton- QUESTIONS

My Father’s Axe by Tim Winton

1.     Briefly summarise the story – its subject matter.

“My Fathers Axe” by Tim Winton takes the reader on a reminiscent journey through the eyes of the main character. The nameless characters axe goes missing, which belonged to his father, which sends the narrator on a search to find it. This search evidentially arouses the memories of his childhood. Winton writes in first person, this it allows the character to think about the past and how he became an adult. “My Fathers Axe” also investigates the relationship between the main character and each of his family members. Essentially, this short story revolves around the growing up of the main character and how his relationships have affected his journey.

2.     How does the writer establish the relationship between father and son?

“My father’s axe” refers to the complexity of the characters relationship with his father, and how time brings about different circumstances and role changes. The reader is made aware of the protagonist’s great admiration shown towards his father. These are made apparent by Winton’s use of positive comments such as “arms glistening”, “body grunt” to display the father’s power in everything that he did. The story goes on, and the reader learns that he has disappointed his father throughout life, where he talks of times when he has broken/blunted his father’s tools etc. However, he still depended very much upon his father, whom he saw as a “protector”. Winston positions the reader to see the great admiration the character had for his father, but at the same time, recognizes his faults. When the story is in the present, the parents are now starting to grow old, and there is a change brought about by the coming of age. As time goes on, the reader can recognize the deterioration that has been brought about in the father son relationship.

3.     What is the importance of the axe throughout? Is it a thing of monetary value or does it have symbolic importance? Explain.

Tim Winton allows the axe to become a symbol of his childhood relationship with his father. Throughout the story, the old axe evokes fond memories of his childhood, and how strong his bond with his father truly was. This allows the character to reflect on his past and how much his life has changed with time. The deterioration of the axe could also symbolize the deterioration of their relationship.

4.     Explain the narrator’s dreams. What is their significance?

The dreams that the narrator is experiencing are extremely detailed and ghastly. To the readers, it appears the axe has been unwrapping many old memories from the past that the narrator would rather not think about. These memories are ultimately causing the nightmares.

5.     Does the story contain a message about growing up? Identify the key values underpinning the narrative.

This story relates growing up with time. Winston reflects constantly on the stark difference between the past and present. This allows the reader to understand that changes the narrator has gone through from childhood to adulthood. The narrative, however, is of the opinion that relationships will deteriorate and form throughout this journey. He subtly depicts this by explaining the close relationship he had with his father as a child and how the has faded through life, he then, however, describes the new relationships that have formed with his own wife and son. 

6.     Discuss the significance of the story’s ending.

Towards the end of the story, a young boy and his father return the axe. The narrator, whilst receiving his old axe with gratitude, passes on his new axe to them. I believe the narrator sees a part of himself within the little boy, so passes the new axe down so the boy can experience all that the he has. He hopes that this new axe draws the father and boys relationship closer as it did with his father son relationship. He is encouraging the boy to create special memories, so one day he can look back on them, as the narrator does with his own memories.

7.     Give it an alternate title. Justify your choice.

“Time Changes Everything”. I would chose this title because I believe the story focuses on the change in the narrators relationship with his family as time has progressed.