Themes and message

Violence and child abuse

The main theme in the story “Son of Satan” by Charles Bukowski is violence - and particularly how violence is learned in the family from a young age. The narrator is caught up in a vicious cycle of violence and abuse, in which he is both a victim and an aggressor. 

The vicious cycle of violence and abuse is illustrated in the progression of events. The narrator has likely learned his violent behavior from his father, who is “mean without even trying” (p. 44, l. 5), and who beats his son. Supported by his peers, the narrator bullies and attacks a victim who cannot defend himself, nearly killing him. Because of that action, the narrator is viciously beaten by his father. The narrator promises his father “ ‘when I get big enough I’m going to kill you!’ ” (p. 44, ll. 39-40). This further strengthens the idea that violence only leads to more violence, and to the perpetrator becoming the victim.

The narrator...