Other characters

The other characters in the short story “Son of Satan” by Charles Bukowski are seen through the eyes of the narrator and are relevant because of their interactions with him. 

The father

The narrator’s father has a great influence on the narrator’s personality and points to the damage that abuse in the family can do to a child. The father’s outer characterization is given by the narrator, who focuses on the features that make his father imposing. We know that he is “six feet two and one half” (p. 44, ll. 2-3), with “a big head” (p. 44, l. 3), “thick lips” (p, 44, l. 4) and “big ears” (p. 44, l. 4). He is also said to look “mean without even trying” (p. 44, l. 5). 

The father’s inner characterization is revealed through his words and actions, especially when he is dealing with the n...