"Powder," by Tobias Wolff (English 1302) Literature:Short Story

"Powder," by Tobias Wolff, is about a man recalling his memory of a specific ski trip taken with his father, at a time when his parent's were on the verge of divorce. He recounts the day with vivid detail, telling us the reasons why his parents divorce was imminent, but also how much he loves his father despite his faults. <Tab/>The boy conveys his controlling behavior to the point of …

…through. Through his memory, he pinpoints the moment that his mind-set changes about who his father is, which alters his own personality hereafter. <Tab/>The central idea of this story considers taking life too seriously and trying to control all the events in life will not allow full enjoyment of any given situation, and that letting go of concern over events that are beyond controlling will lead to more enriching experiences.