Theme

Relationship between father and son

The theme of the short story “I Spy” by Graham Greene appears to be the relationship between father and son, focusing especially on the similarity between them. Despite the distance and lack of communication which exists between Charlie and his father, the two of them share several similarities. 

Charlie and his father both encourage themselves with proverbs (p. 42, l. 25). In Charlie’s case, he mixes the “grown-up” saying: “ ‘May as well be hung for a sheep’ ” (p. 41, l. 26) with “childish exhortations” such as “ ‘Cowardy, cowardy custard’ ” (p. 41, ll. 26-27). It is likely he has learned the proverbs from his father, who also likes mixing proverbs with his speech, also in their shortened versions. For instance: “ ‘A stitch in time’ ” (p. 42...