The Father I Had, The Father I Am: A Memoir

Date of Award

2008

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Creative Writing

Abstract

The Father I Had, The Father I Am is a deeply personal memoir by James J. Worrell that traces the complex terrain of fatherhood, generational trauma, and personal transformation. Through a blend of storytelling and reflection, Worrell recounts his childhood experiences growing up with an abusive, alcoholic father in a working-class Florida home, offering unflinching glimpses into moments of fear, survival, and emotional resilience.

As the narrative unfolds, Worrell juxtaposes his past with his present role as a loving, attentive father to his own children. The memoir’s core lies in these bedtime stories—seemingly simple recollections shared with his son and daughter—which gradually reveal the tension between inherited pain and the author’s conscious effort to break the cycle. These moments become catalysts for self-examination and healing, allowing him to see both the trauma of his upbringing and the possibility of redemption through parenthood and storytelling.

Worrell also explores his unlikely journey into writing, beginning with limited literacy and a background in information technology, eventually finding purpose and voice through a Master of Fine Arts program. Writing becomes not just a creative outlet, but a path to emotional clarity and connection with others.

With a candid tone and vivid detail, the memoir reflects on how personal history shapes identity, and how forgiveness—of others and of oneself—can emerge through the act of remembering. It is a testament to the power of narrative in reclaiming one’s story, and in forging a new legacy of love and empathy.

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