Carl Ott

Carl Ott is Larry’s father. He is married to Ina Ott, who is Larry’s mother. However, Carl also has an illegitimate son, Silas Jones. Carl works as a mechanic and owns an automobile repair shop which Larry takes over after Carl’s death. 

As a father, Carl appears to be disappointed in Larry, whom he believes to not be masculine enough. For example, Larry believes “Carl liked most everyone except him” (p. 44). In general, Carl holds traditional views and values masculinity: he believes being vegetarian or wearing a seatbelt is feminine and thus, undesirable. He also disapproves of the fact that Larry enjoys reading and is not physically fit or interested in being a mechanic. Instead, Carl enjoys hobbies which he believes are masculine such as collecting guns, fishing, or dr...