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The Father-Son Relationship In Jack Arnold's 'Road Trip'

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Childhood. A critical period in a person’s life where they learn important lessons, make lasting bonds, and connect with their family. One of the most important bonds a child can make is with their father. This proves to be difficult for Jack Arnold, the stubborn father in The Wonder Years. In the “Road Trip” episode, the lug nut is stuck in place just like Jack and his son Kevin’s relationship. The lug nut serves a deeper metaphor than what is seen on the surface which is shown through many conversations that Jack and Kevin have. These conversations are strained at first, and then serve as a deeper insight to the father-son relationship.
Right from the start, the unavoidable gap in the father-son relationship in present. The family is in the kitchen listening to the mom, Norma, discuss a sale at a suit shop when Jack agrees that Kevin needs a suit. Jack does not realize that he will be the one to go with Kevin. When they come to this realization, Jack and Kevin both try to make excuses to get out of going. The last thing they want to do is spend time with each other. Jack then proceeds to get lost various times …show more content…

It represents Jack because it is “stuck in place” and stubborn just like Jack. Jack refuses to ask for directions and says, “Your mother never drove a half-track halfway across Korea” when Kevin claims that mom said to exit on 22-B. This is a little bit of an insight of what was going on at the time and why Jack is who he is. Jack previously served in the military so this might explain some of his personality traits. The duo then hits a dead end and Jack refuses to turn around which is just another incident that proves his stubbornness. Adult Kevin then says, “It seems we've reached the standoff here. The irresistible force, the unmovable object.” Kevin is hinting towards the fact that him and his dad are stuck in their relationship and no matter how much they try, they cannot fix

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