Celebrating the Pity of Brotherly

¶ … Celebrating the Pity of Brotherly Love by Andrew Koritz Krull from Newsweek magazine, August 2006. The author's thesis is that older brothers are tormentors and even cruel, but in the end, they help a younger brother assimilate into manhood in the best of ways. In my own experience, I agree with the author, being that I have an older brother who treated me much the same and I have a younger sister who gets away with everything, as well. I have yet to experience some of the joys of this arrangement, but, just like Krull, I am sure they will come in time.

The author's writing is witty and poignant at the same time. This personal essay probably brings back memories, good and bad, for just about anyone who has grown up with an older brother. The tone is reflective and biting at the same time. He shows how cruel his brothers were, but also the kindnesses they showed him, and how it has affected his own adult life. He acknowledges that he emulates them, and always has, and that is not always a bad thing. In fact, it may just have made him a stronger and better person, although that may be difficult to admit.

The essay is funny, informative, and aware of its audience. It seems difficult to believe this could not be appealing to anyone who grew up with brothers and sisters, and understands all the tensions and rivalries that can rage in a family. The author's purpose may have been to entertain, because some of his anecdotes are funny and poignant at the same time. He writes, "I had plenty of padding, so there were no serious physical injuries, but there were lasting emotional scars. I still flinch when-ever I see a beanbag" (Krull). Ultimately, he wrote this to recognize his brothers for their positive influence on his life. He might never be able to admit that to their faces, but he can put it in writing, and that makes it even more permanent and binding. He writes this as a celebration of the family, even if it is sarcastic, funny, and sad at the same time. If anything, the author is biased toward his own family and his feelings about his brothers. He recognizes what they did was wrong, but excuses them because they have been a good influence in his life. His solution is really an anti-solution. He urges people to have only one boy, but his implied message is clear - big brothers make stronger, better, younger brothers.

Close to the end of the essay the author writes, "If you think my case is an isolated one, you are gravely mistaken. There are probably millions of young men around the world who would not be the same men they are today had it not been for their older brothers" (Krull). I had to laugh, because his descriptions of how older brothers treat their siblings is so right on. They are bigger, and they will not let younger brothers forget it. I have gone through many similar circumstances with my older brother, and sometimes it makes me angry, because just like in this essay, my parents seem clueless about his actions. However, the essay made me laugh, because the author is very good at description and humor, and writes so others can identify with his plight.