James' father left his marriage in order to be with a woman who later died of cancer. James' father has remained single since the death of his lover, suggesting he is a man who loves deeply and is not lonely enough to fill the emptiness with meaningless relationships. James' father is involved in his life as much as he can be when he does not live in the home. However, James' father is also vain and appears to be concerned with the things taking place in his own life over those in James' life despite his overtures of concern to his son.