Abraham vs. Thomas

[LincolnMan]

Their values were different as to provide a gap in the father/son relationship that was never bridged. Thomas seemed to have little or no interest in "book learning." Abraham cherished books and writing above all else. It was a sore point with his father to find young Abraham engrossed in a book when he felt that his attention ought to have been the farm work. Thomas probably felt that for his son to get along in the world he must learn the skills that he knew. Abraham, though adept at the skills, never aspired to be like his father. Therefore, Thomas considered his son lazy. He truly could not rise above the hopes he had for his son-and his son could not convey to his father that he felt and wanted something in life other than his father's well-intentioned career path.