The Drunkard

     The Drunkard by Frank O'Connor was a humorous story, however, there were undertones of pathos in it.  I started to feel bad for the boy because his father did not set a good example.  The boy said that he "knew I might have to bring him home, blind drunk. . ." (346).  I do not think that any child should know that about their father.  No child should have to know what is going to happen that night because his/her parent is going to be drunk.  I feel for the child because he does not have a good father.  Even though there is apparent humor in the fact that a little boy got drunk, there is definitely a feeling of sadness as well.  While I was reading this story, I told myself that I did not want the boy to show behaviors like his father at such a young age.  However, that is exactly what was happening. O'Connor did a great job of showing the humor but also adding a little pathos in there as well.  I believe that it made the story a little more realistic in a way.