Summary Of The Rich Brother By Tobian Wolff

Tobian Wolff’s, “The Rich Brother” is a short story about two brothers, Pete and Donald, are complete opposites of each other. Pete is the more established brother he is married with two daughters, owns a century 21 franchise, a sailboat, a house, and some friends. Donald, on the other hand is portrayed throughout the story as more of a disappointment when being compared to his brother. Donald was still single, lived alone, painted houses whenever he could find a job, and financially dependent on his older brother Pete. In short, as the book put it, “Pete prospered and Donald did not prosper”(654). Although Donald is a bit more of a lost soul compared to Pete it is evident in both Donald’s overall attitude, personal characteristics, and quality’s

Yes, he is very accomplished compared to Donald but his accomplishments have ultimately gone to his head and caused him to look down on his brother. When I read the story, I see that Pete has all the money and no real definition or drive. He lacks a certain satisfaction in living, compared to Donald, he is just existing. Donald on the other hand is a free spirit, I would say he’s more prone to failure because he doesn’t plan his next move before it’s made but he’s experiencing more, he’s living and learning. Both Donald and Pete have some flaws that hinder the growth in their relationship as well as personal growth and success but there’s no doubt that they need each

While in the car Donald brought up an old memory he has kept of Pete coming in his room trying to kill him. Donald ask Pete as they’re driving not to deny what he did but to explain why. Pete denies trying to hurt Donald back then and shrugs it off saying it was just something kids do. Instead of explaining that it was because of the jealousy he has harbored for his brother since he got sick and that he was mad that even as child Donald’s been given more attention than Pete, Pete doesn’t explain he blows it off again by telling Donald: “Maybe I bumped in to you accidentally once or twice. I never did it deliberately” (662). Donald knows it was not an accident and still wants Pete to take responsibility for his actions but of course Pete does not. If Pete was honest with his brother in that moment it’s possible that he could have resolved the very thing that has led to resentment the two have for each