"The Merchant of Venice"- an ingenious play crafted by William Shakespeare in the early mediaeval period exhibits similar and comparable themes to Joyce Cary’s contemporary short narrative-“Growing up.”
Rites of passage are a key motif in both literary works. In “Growing up,” Robert Quick’s recognition of his daughters increasing independence is ultimately what salvages their fractured relationship. Shylock “Merchant” fails to recognise the changes in his daughter, subsequently leading to her elopement and escape from what she considers as “hell”. Quick’s laissez-faire parenting certainly seems to be a more enticing prospect in comparison to Shylock’s more domineering techniques, however, both parents eventually find themselves alienated from their offspring.
When it comes to their fathers, the children are self-absorbed to the point of emotional detachment from all else. During Kate and Jenny’s feral attack upon their father, he is only ever acknowledged as “the man”. Cary strips Quick of his title highlighting his decline into obscurity in the lives of his daughters. Jessica on the other hand, harbours no nostalgic feelings for “the man” who sired her; rather she is publicly scornful and contemptuous of not only his behaviour and mannerisms, but his beliefs as well. “I am not to his manners.” A bold declarative carrying the implication that Jessica is not only ashamed of her father, but that she believes her morals to be of a higher standard than his. Despite Shylock’s derisive comments in regards to “Christians”, Jessica still believes it to be a more palatable outcome than remaining Jewish. Though her anti-Semitic views are most probably fuelled by her environment, her feelings of disdain towards Shylock lead her to he rejection of the religion; she attempts to sever all links to her father who has been responsible for the ever present “strife” in her life.
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