The story Stones by Timothy Findley brings a very important issue into plain sight that is often experienced by many families. This story does an excellent job of illustrating the life of a family, living with someone who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder upon returning from WW2.
This story is told from the point of view of a man named Ben, he is reminiscing about the days when he was a kid, before and after his father went to war. Ben realizes soon after his father returns from the war that his personality has completely changed. His father is extremely hostile, he swears in front of his kids, and made everyone feel like they could set him off at any moment. He even assaults Ben while he is in bed and breaks his collar bone. The family covers for him all the while until the father assaults Ben's mother, and she eventually leaves him. It is revealed that Ben's father fled at the battle of Dieppe, allowing his men to die and deserting the army. This guilt is what caused the father's erratic behavior. In the end, the father is completely abandoned by his family. Only Ben shows up to the hospital when he is dying because his siblings "could not be reached."
In my opinion this story does a very good job showing the type of effect that post-traumatic stress disorder can have on a family. Along with dispelling some of the stigma associated with it, due to the fact that before his death, the father apologized to Ben for his behavior. In truth, I actually didn't read the story when I was supposed to so I wasn't prepared for class when we went over it. But I went back and read it after and I was really glad that I did because in my opinion this is an excellent story.
I agree with you, this story does shed light on the issue of PTSD. People have to realize that it is a real thing and it can sometimes turn kind, gentle people into what David Max became, a drunk, violent man.
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