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Maria Lewis English 1302 Prof. Frazier 04/01/2011 A Lack of Understanding The only thing these brothers in Tobias Wolff's "The Rich Brother" have in common is a lack of understanding of the others ideas; they do not understand or accept the lifestyle of the other. Peter cannot understand why his brother Donald has become so religious, considering the fact they were not raised believing in any faith. Donald is having trouble understanding how his brother is frivolous with his money and has no faith or spirituality. Their lack of understanding is what keeps them at odds. Peter cannot understand why his brother will not work and earn enough money to support himself. Donald cannot fathom how his brother spends money on things, which he considers wasteful. Peter wants Donald to accept the fact that in order for him to support his brother's vagabond type lifestyle, someone must work a real job. Their lifestyles are drastically different, yet the rewards are individually satisfying without regard to how it unsatisfying it would be to the other. Peter has worked diligently to build a successful real estate business to support his family. The idea that he has to take care of a grown man who is physically and mentally capable of working is frustrating. Peter is finding himself bailing his brother out of trouble constantly, while Donald is thankful for Peters help, it has not prevented trouble from finding its way in life. This major factor keeps them both in their own place of reality.

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Donald is judgmental as to how his brother spends money on things, which he considers wasteful. When he asked Peter why he spent money on sky diving, Peter responded defensively telling him that he did not have a reason other than wanted to do something new and different. Donald noticed that Peter cared emphatically about his car and related his anger about the spill of soda on the seat to the cost of the vehicle. In his opinion, Peter should not have spent so much money for a car. Material things caused Peter stress from the actions it took to get the material treasures and keep them. The wasteful nature of his brother was a barrier that Donald considered a losing battle to engaged in after several losing attempts to change his brothers mind. Peter wanted Donald to understand that in order for him to support his vagabond type lifestyle; someone must work a real job. If Peter did not have money when Donald got sick, he would have not been able to for the medical bills. The car that appears to be impractical to Donald is the same car that drove to pick him up after the farm family kicked him out. Both brothers use Peter's money to help people, the problem was Donald never used the money to help himself. These misunderstandings continue to be a wedge. Peter cannot understand why his brother will not work and earn enough money to support himself. Donald is not understanding how his brother spends money on things which he considers wasteful. Peter wants Donald to understand that in order for him to support his brother's vagabond type lifestyle, he must work a real job. Donald has become very religious, despite the fact that they were not rose believing in any faith. Joining cult like organizations and drifting between them, reinforces Peters believe that Donald life has not direction. He also questions, if Religion was the answer, why is Donald still

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seeking an answer after forty years. Peter sees Donald's faith in people as the root of the problem. Donald is on a mission to save souls and wants his brother to join in on his quest for spiritual freedom. Peter is unable to accept this sacrifice of works without material reward and constant struggle. Arguments about religion only lead to further breaks in communication so Peter has learned to choose his battles with Donald. When Peter asks his brother to explain why he left the farm, his explanation is accepting of all responsibility. Donald shared how he continues to give things away that he has not earned and cannot understand why people are angry with him. Instead of Donald understanding why Peter got angry with him for giving his money away to a hitchhiker, he turns it around make Peter feel like he will forgive him and won't blame him for his irrational behavior toward the older man Webster . If only they could bother see how important their actions or lack thereof affects one another, then maybe this distance in their relationship could be eliminated. Peter sees his brother searching for something in religion that will help justify all of things that happen or do not happen in life. Donald believes that through his good works, his reward is something greater than material riches. Hopeful the answers will come with resolve to his questions about his childhood and his life purpose. Prior to Donald having issues on the farm, he thought everyone had the same "giving freely" believe system as him. Webster was able to take advantage of the naive personality ingrained in Donald. His rationalization of acceptance for being kicked off the farm, kicked out the car, and faith that he would land on his feet without any support from his brother, astounding Peter. Donald is having trouble understanding how his brother is frivolous with his money and has no faith or spirituality. Donald has devoted his life to giving what he has with the expectation

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of receiving nothing but emotional joy in return. He cannot understand the pleasure his brother gets from things that do not improve the lives of others. When he gave he never thought about what was going to be left for him or others. He only looked at the immediate situation and never the facts of the neat future. Often he would find that his joy was causing others stress and strife. Therefore, the lack of understanding is what keeps them apart because Donald has devoted his life to giving what he has with the expectation of receiving nothing but emotional joy in return and Peter life if filled with making sure he is always in a position to help his brother.