Teddy Duchamp's Obsession with His Father

Teddy's unwavering loyalty to his abusive father, a WWII veteran, and his tragic end.

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The Burned Ears

The Burned Ears The Atrocity Teddy's father, Norman Duchamp, a Normandy veteran, holds Teddy's head against a hot stove burner as punishment for breaking a plate. The burns disfigure Teddy's ears and cause hearing loss. Norman is later committed to Togus VA Hospital. Teddy's Pride Despite the abuse, Teddy idolizes his father. He constantly boasts that his father 'stormed the beach at Normandy.' He visits him weekly at Togus and defends him against any criticism. The abuse has twisted his perception of love and loyalty. The Psychological Scar Teddy's reckless behavior—truck-dodging, train-dodging—is a cry for attention and a way to prove his toughness. He is deeply damaged, but his friends accept him. His father's legacy is both a burden and a source of identity.

The Rejection from the Military

The Rejection from the Military The Dream Dashed Teddy's lifelong dream is to join the military like his father. However, his poor eyesight and hearing aid result in a 4-F classification. He is rejected by the Air Force and the draft. The rejection is a devastating blow. The Descent After the rejection, Teddy's life spirals downward. He works for the Castle Rock Public Works Department, filling potholes. He hangs out at bars, drinks, and drives recklessly. His friends from the old gang have moved on. The Final Crash Teddy dies in a car crash in Harlow, his Bel Air full of friends, all drunk or high. The crash is a squalid end to a life that never found its footing. Gordon later reflects that Teddy was a victim of his father's abuse and his own inability to let go of a fantasy.

When Teddy was eight years old

After high school, late 1960s