Chapter 9, 10, & 11

It is during these chapters that Garp shows how very abnormal he is.  Garp and Helen’s roles are reversed compared to the average couple.  Not including the support of Jenny, Garp’s wife Helen is the bread-winner of the family and Garp is the housewife.  These chapters make the point of showing the role reversal between the two.  Garp does the shopping, cooking, cleaning, looks after the children, and carries out other miscellaneous jobs around the house.  Garp delegates where and when his children can go out and in this chapter he allows his son Duncan to go to his friend Ralph’s house.  Garp, however feels uneasy when he meets Ralph’s mother how was speeding past his house.  She has a breakdown when Garp catches her and Garp feels quite nervous about letting his son stay the night at Ralph’s house.  These chapters start to show Garp’s protective nature.  While Duncan is at Ralph’s house Garp tries to overcompensate by watching Walt from the minute he falls asleep.  Garp’s protective instincts eventually get the better of him and he decides to go to Ralph’s house to check on Duncan.  After a minor confrontation with a naked young man found in Mrs. Ralph’s room, Mrs. Ralph once again breaks down and she then tries to seduce Garp.  The topic of sex and lust is reintroduced in this way.  Garp, however, shows great personal growth when he finds himself attracted to Mrs. Ralph but still rejects her proposal.  He then gets Duncan and carries him home.