"Great News from the Mainland" Summary

Mr. Wheeler receives a report on his son's progress at a mental institution. His son, Stevie, is undergoing electric shock therapy among other treatments. Mr. Wheeler sits at his home in Cuba. He speaks briefly to his son on the telephone. His son and his son's doctor both feel that Stevie is making good progress in his treatment and is beginning to return to reality.

"Great News from the Mainland" Analysis

The father-son relationship between Mr. Wheeler and his son, Stevie, develops further in this story. Mr. Wheeler sits at home alone, listening to medical reports about his son. The father and son are divided, both geographically and mentally. The story confronts the father's inability to either understand what has happened to his son, or to recognize his son in a way that...