Back on Mothering Sunday, we had a look at some of the worst mothers in literary history, from Margaret White to Mrs. Wormwood. Now that Father’s Day has rolled around, let’s have a look at some of the worst fathers in literature.
The Monsieur Thenardier in the novel is somewhat different than the one musical lovers know. Not only is he the father of Eponine, he is also the father of Gavroche. He and Madame Thenardier take in Fantine’s daughter Cosette for a fee. While “taking care” of Cosette, they dress her in rags, force her to do work around their inn and they also beat her. At one point, Thenardier extorts even further from Fantine, falsely stating that Cosette is sick. They spend the money Fantine sends on their own daughters. As the novel goes on, Jean Valjean adopts Cosette as his own. He sees how the Thenardiers mistreat Cosette, and how Eponine and her sister mimic the abuse. When Valjean attempts to take Cosette away, Thenardier attempts to extort more money from him as well. When Valjean finally leaves, Thenardier regrets not bringing his gun with him. Eventually, the inn closes, and the Thenardiers have changed their names. They have had two more children, who they sell. Thenardier robs, begs and more. Eventually, the entire family is arrested. Madame Thenardier dies in prison. Eponine and Azelma are released. Epoine is killed at the barricades. Monsieur Thenardier and Azelma are the only ones and eventually travel to America, where he becomes, of all things, a slave trader. It’s Thenardier’s abuse, conning, and thievery that put him on this list. He’s been played by several different actors over time, in adaptations of the book, including Matt Lucas and Sacha Baron Cohen.
Michael Henchard is a bit despicable. After a fight with his wife, Susan, Michael, pushed on by alcohol, decides to auction off his wife and daughter, at a local fair, for five guineas. What makes it worse, is that while he’s sober the next day, he is reluctant to admit to his bad conduct, so doesn’t go to search for his family. He eventually becomes mayor of Casterbridge, after becoming totally sober. He is still impulsive, selfish and has a violent temper. He also happens to lie. While travelling, he falls in love with Lucette. Her reputation is ruined, unless she marries Michael. It is revealed that after all this time, Susan, and Michael’s daughter, are still alive and have arrived back in town. With the return of his family, Henchard finds there is a decline in his fortune. His family is not the cause of this decline – it is his poor decisions.
To add to all of the other problems, Henchard is a lousy businessman. Also, Susan has no idea that Lucetta exists, and Henchard is not actually his daughter’s biological father. Eventually, his daughter is married, and goes to look for him, to forgive him for what he has done to her and her mother. She finds he has died and did not want to be found. A liar, a former alcoholic and somewhat of a cheater, Michael apparently is also lacking in certain morals.
Humbert Humbert takes the cake. He really does. He attempts to marry a lady by the name of Charlotte Haze. He does eventually marry Charlotte - not out of love, but in attempts to get closer to her 12 year old daughter. Charlotte eventually dies, and Humbert gets his way with Dolores, her daughter. Humbert picks up Lolita from camp, telling her that Charlotte has been hospitalized. Instead of taking Dolores back home, he takes Dolores to a hotel and gives her sleeping pills. After waiting for the pills to take effect, he tries to molest Dolores. Eventually, Dolores reveals she is no longer a virgin and he eventually reveals Charlotte is in fact dead. Dolores must accept Humbert is her stepfather and must agree to his terms, or she will be placed into foster care. Over time, he bribes Dolores for sexually related favours. He enrolls her in an all girls school and becomes controlling and strict. Dolores (now known as Lolita) disappears. She sends him a letter, after time has passed, and she is now married and pregnant. Humbert and Lolita reconcile and he begs her to leave his husband. Lolita eventually dies, while giving birth to the baby and Humbert eventually dies of a coronary thrombosis. Lolita was adapted several times, one of the most famous being the 1997 film version, starring Jeremy Irons. The most famous version was made in 1962, directed by Stanley Kubrick and starring James Mason, Peter Sellers and Shelley Winters. It’s pretty obvious why Humbert ended up on this list.
While there are some truly horrid fathers out there, there are some brilliant ones out there. Fathers like Mr. Weasley, Atticus Finch, and Jo Gagery all make up for these horrid fathers.
Let us know who you think are some of the worst fathers out there!