Monologue

Choose a point in the story and write a monologue in which the mother talks to her husband about watching her son grow up and what that means to both him and his father. In other words, what does the boy think it means to grow up or to be grown up? What does the father think it means? Are there differences in their views?

What does the mother think it means to grow up?  What would she say about their relationship?

She gives a new (perhaps female) perspective. Try to give her an authentic voice. This may vary from person to person according to your view of the character but try to make it clear and consistent. 

The point of intervention is when the son decides to put both his parents into a home.

“My dearest husband, I have been silent for a while and I now want my opinion to be heard.”

The husband stands up from his armchair, slowly walks over to the dining table, sits opposite her and indicates she may continue.

“Our son has grown up. It is no longer our responsibility to be holding his hand for each step he takes. I am very sad though, he did not get to see you often because of your job. I know we tried very hard to get you another job to be more active in your son’s growing up; however, when you were home you never seemed to be all there.

Sure, you taught him to wield an axe, and I know that is manly, but our son is not like you. He is a sensitive boy who can’t wield an axe how you do, because he isn’t strong enough and that is our perspectives on his growing up. The boy thinks wielding the axe is a definition of a man. Why should that be how a man is defined?

I married you before you learnt to wield the axe; I love you because of your personality, not for your ability to swing an axe. Our relationship is strong, but I believe the relationship you have with our son has disintegrated over the years because you don’t like to talk about your feelings.

I know that life has been hard. Having a job you don’t enjoy and being away all the time, but our son has grown up and you've missed the train!

I am sad because you didn’t get to enjoy the times he laughed with me and cried the times when you cried. The train has come and left the station. I know our views are different on the growing up of our son, but I do want you to know that he is the best man that he can be.