My Take on Portraits of Your Father (SCP)
[THIS ANALYSIS IS FOR MY FINAL GRADE IN ENGLISH 12 CLASS]
It's been a while since I've properly analyzed this story, so I might have forgotten some elements or get something wrong
POTENTIALLY WRONG INTERPRETATIONS!!
So feel free to respond or correct me about anything I am going to say!
Terrible grammar structure..
Might sound ACCIDENTALLY CONDESCENDING/NEGATIVE DUE TO (probably) WRONG CHOICE OF WORDING!!! english isn't my first language D:
Thanks for reading my project :3
Spoilers if you haven't read it.
Fiction's theme is about grief (I guess..?),
The story itself is about Draven Kondraki, who is the father's (Benjamin Kondraki's) son and how he copes with his father's suicide. We get multiple glimpses of memories from Draven's childhood that shaped him now and subtle hints of how his dad wasn't necessarily a good father but tries either way. Not only that, throughout the story readers can see how Draven and his fiancé, James Talloran grieves and how they manage to get through it (or tries to) at the end of the story.
A community challenge/universal experience that can be seen throughout this tale is resilience, because it deals with
Navigating grief in complex relationships
Moving forward despite the unexpected situation.
---- Some evidences that builds up -------
“Can you hand me that bottle over there?”
“Mm. I think you’ve had enough for tonight, Director,” James says in the low, articulate voice Draven has only heard him use at lab presentations and with his alcoholic father in the throes of one of his episodes.
This explicitly says that the father is already an alcoholic, which would mean he's destroying himself. Draven and James must take on the role of caretakers, emotionally managing the adult who was supposed to care for them, that shows resilience. (But Draven's already an adult and most adults take care of their parents, so it makes sense.)
“…I don’t know. That you’ll…not turn out like me, yeah? How about that.” His father lets out a forced chuckle. “Just…don’t be like me. Ever. Don’t do anything I did. I guess that’s what I’m saying.”
“Dad.” Kondraki can’t believe how much his son has grown up — dark curly hair, just like his own. Clean shaven. Green eyes. Tactical gear sporting his name. “…Are you okay?”
Kondraki's awareness of his failures and the pain he cause to himself.
A warning to avoid repeating destructive patterns, reflecting generational trauma.
Kondraki recognizes his own flaws and the negative impact he’s had on Draven’s life, which underscores his internal struggle and desire to protect his son from repeating his mistakes, even if he feels powerless to change himself.
A BUNCH OF GLIMPSES OF MEMORIES HERE!!
He’s “the smartest man you’ve ever met” because of his books, his multilingual ability, and his impressive job. This reflects how children often elevate their parents to heroic status, meaning that they focus on small signs of greatness without fully understanding the complexities beneath the parent.
Draven’s silent, agonizing questions — Why did you do it? Did it hurt? Would you have done it if I stayed?
That's grief. Witnessing his father’s suicide firsthand creates trauma, especially when having to see the dead body in front of you.
The hazy atmosphere reflects how Draven’s mind tries to process trauma. Draven feels a “soft kind of comfort” and warmth in this memory before the tragedy strikes. This moment shows a glimmer of hope, the memory that helps him find warmth and comfort even when the person in that memory doesn't exist anymore.
Waking up screaming from the nightmare shows that Draven hasn't forgotten and obviously is still deeply affected. But! He survives the shock, the pain, and the emotional devastation, showing resilience that takes it slowly, rather than quick recovery.
Draven’s father is frantic, showing deep fear and love beneath his anger. His concern with "You could have died!” shows genuine vulnerability and the terror of potentially losing his son.
Despite the tension and harsh words, the moment ends with laughter and tenderness, a release of pent-up stress and a moment of connection. The laughter humanizes the father, showing his flawed but obvious attempts to be present and supportive.
Draven’s acceptance of his dad's presence “he’s there, just like he always is” shows emotional resilience because despite the imperfections, the bond remains a source of comfort.
Though this memory is set before Kondraki's death, there could be foreshadowing. His intense fear of losing Draven foreshadows the tragedy from the first chapter, hinting at the emotional weight both characters carry.
James and Draven found a Stephen King book; "Pet Cemetary" which indirectly tells both of them how Kondraki wants to peacefully go, by throwing his ashes into the sea.
"That’s all Draven needed to get an idea of what he wanted his dad’s final stunt to be. He grabs James’ keys from the table and a shovel from the garage and backs out of the driveway at 1am, feeling like Louis Creed."
You’ve been sad and you will be again, but right now James is saying that you should go to McDonalds before hitting the highway and you say hell yeah, we’re going to McDonalds, because right now the Foundation doesn’t matter and nothing can hold you back. When the dawn grey dissipates, you head onto the highway.
You’re painting a portrait of something old and something new, and everything inbetween.
Despite the heavy weight of loss and ongoing grief, Draven wants to and chooses to embrace small moments of happiness such as driving around, goofing off, admiring a turtle, laughing with his fiancé. This is resilience as the courage to live fully even when sadness and grief is still there.
Wearing his father’s worn Columbia jacket symbolizes carrying forward his father’s memory not as a burden but as part of himself. It reflects how Draven is integrating past pain with his present self, showing strength in holding onto what matters while moving forward.
Resilience is shown in that scene but it’s subtle and quiet rather than dramatic.
It’s about how Draven and James choose to live and find joy despite the grief and trauma they've endured. The resilience is in the small, everyday acts: driving playfully, noticing a turtle, sharing laughter, and wearing the father's jacket as a symbol of carrying on. These moments reflect an ongoing process of healing and moving forward, which is the essence of resilience.
Yeah that's it thanks for reading.
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