Ransom essay topic help please

[IAHG]

Ransom is a novel of fathers and sons. What is being revealed about the pressures of both parenting and growing up?

This was what I thought of so far:

-   Ransom is a story of fathers and sons, because the main bonds that are explored are those between the Hector and Priam, Priam and his other sons and daughters, Achilles and Peleus, Achilles and Priam, and the relationship between Achilles and Neoptolemus.

-   Pressures of growing up:

Of fulfilling duty: As Priam ages, he is under the watchful eye of the citizens of Troy, as well as rulers of the world. He is always scrutinized, and being well aware of this, he is under a great deal of stress to symbolically represent perfection. This is exemplified during his conversation with Hecuba, when he claims “I have, always, to the public view, been just what I appear to be. That is the discipline of kings…I’ve played my part, and I tried to let nothing peep out of the real man inside so much empty shining.” This pressure starts to take a toll on Priam, evidenced by the repression of his feelings.

Following in your father’s footsteps: The added responsibility to follow in your father’s footsteps is clearly displayed at the end of the novel with the “botched” death of Priam, killed by Neoptolemus. The first thing that he says is “Forgive me, father” and this shows how much Neoptolemus wanted to make his father proud of his warrior skills. Also, Achilles thinks of how his son is already “eager to prove himself, already urging his grandfather, Lycomedes, to let him leave...take his place at last at his father’s side as one of his fearsome Myrmidons”, in other words, uphold the reputation of his family and father.
 
Pressures of being “children of the Gods”: As Somax describes, growing up under the watchful eye of the Gods is very much a part of life for those in the world of Ransom. Although Gods don’t play a crucial part in Ransom, because of the modernization of the Iliad, the pressure of destiny on those who age is very clearly displayed. This is especially true of Achilles; he chooses to become a great warrior, who is remembered, rather than live long and be forgotten. Not sure how or if to elaborate on this...

Not sure what to write about the pressures of parenting. Any criticism or ideas would be great.
Thanks!

[chemkid_23]

pressures of parenting you could juxtapose priam with somax as fathers. Priam is rather restricted because of his kingly role, where as we can see Somaax is much more intimate and loving. Somax is basically a single father now, so has greater responsibility of taking care of the daughter in law and granddaughter. Priam has help around him but still isnt a good parent until he retrieves Hector and renews himself --> something better than nothing.

Something like that I guess

[IAHG]

Yeah, I think that could work really well, still not sure which of the ideas for the "pressures of growing up" but do people think that you need to establish that it is a novel about fathers and sons, because my tutor has pointed out that a lot of people miss out the first sentences of the question, which has to be discussed?

[chemkid_23]

well your essay will be based on fathers/sons; so the interrelationship between them in relation to parenting and growing up.
With growing up, talk about the pressures for Neoptolemus to live up to his father's warrior reputation and how Achilles' parenting has failed here. Also for Priam's kids growing up with a distant father; then there's Somax's parenting that allowed his kids to grow up strong although they die young, but you can link that to daughter in law or granddaughter who will grow up with a living parent