Welding with Children

Bruton, the protagonist of the story, is a blue-collar welder and a resident of Gumwood. He is a humorous, sarcastic narrator who tries to present himself as self-assured and confident. He asserts that he makes “decent money as a now-and-then welder” (2) and boasts that he even went to college, though he flunked after a semester. However, Bruton’s reaction to the men calling his car a “bastardmobile” exposes his insecurities and his sensitivity to the opinion of others. It is only the potential of scandal that stops Bruton from punching the men at Pak-a-Sak, and the word, “bastardmobile,” haunts him throughout the story.

While Bruton is disparaging toward men like Mr. Fordlyson, who are the top of Gumwood town’s hierarchy, it becomes clear Bruton is envious of Mr. Fordlyson’s success. Mr. Fordlyson’s children all have prosperous careers while Bruton’s own daughters are struggling in many aspects of their life. More personally, Bruton is also troubled by his own lack of success. Indeed, Bruton’s one physical description of himself, as a “scruffy, sunburned failed welder” (12) demonstrates his low self-image; he is ashamed of his position in the town and of his daughters’ lack of stability.

Bruton’s confidence also wavers in his interactions with his grandchildren.