The howling wind

Being scared of something is nothing to be ashamed of, because the person next to you is most likely scared of something too. In his short story “The Stormchasers” Adam Marek takes us through a windy day of a father and his son Jakey, sitting by the window watching leylandii bow to each other, until Jakey says he’s scared of tornadoes, his father proceeds to calm him and tell him that no tornados would ever end up where they live, and even if they drove around all day, they would be very lucky to bulge into one, but because Jakey believed they could find one. Him and his father set out on an adventure, to try and chase down a tornado. After the storm chase, they return to their home, but something is not right when they open the door and look inside. Just like in this short story, much of Adam Marek’s writings revolve around the themes absurd, futuristic and fantastical things colliding with everyday life, maybe because it reflects to his own everyday life. The focus of this essay will therefore be adventure and to not be scared.

The father cares for his family. an example of this, is when Jakey says he’s scared of tornadoes, and the father, tells him that no tornado would ever end up where they live, which makes him feel better. (P. 1, L. 5-16) The father will show Jakey that there is nothing to be afraid of, so they set out to look for a tornado. (P. 2, L. 7-8) Another example of this, is when they go and check on mum, asking her if they can get her anything, and to see how she feels after her visit to the dentist, before they go tornado chasing. (P. 2, L. 19-31) This shows the reader, that the father would do anything for his family, to make them feel better. The mother seems to be very avoiding, strange and a bit crazy. an example of this, is the way she doesn't want to talk to her family, she just want them to go away, even when the father asks her nicely if they could get her anything, She just pulls the duvet over her head. (P. 2, L. 25-31) An example, that show she is a bit crazy and strange, is When The father and jakey return to their home, and the living room is completely ruined, the mother is sitting on the floor in the middle of the room with her arms round her legs, forehead on her knees and her knuckles are bloody. They ask her if she is okay. No answer. No movement. (P. 5, L. 18-31) This shows that the mother doesn't only have issues with her “mouth” but probably also mentally.