In “Reunion,” the central theme of Expectation Versus Reality pervades the entire story, including the title of narrative. The word reunion often conjures nostalgic connotations of family gatherings, catching up on lost time, and feelings of connectedness. The title alone establishes Charlie’s hopeful anticipation of a happy meeting with his father after three years apart. Given the distance Charlie has had from his father over the past three years, he views his dad in an optimistic light. He forgoes the personality flaws he likely experienced throughout his childhood as he doesn’t voice any surprise about his father’s behavior. The story illuminates two central conflicts that put Charlie’s expectations into stark contrast with reality: Charlie’s internal struggle to accept his father’s true nature and the external battles between his father and the waiters and clerk he encounters. The former conflict goes largely unspoken throughout the narrative, given Charlie’s lack of commentary or internal monologue, but the reader understands that Charlie’s expectation is not going to plan. The latter is the driving force of the narrative.

The title and opening paragraphs set the

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