Eleanor’s father Character Analysis in Eleanor and Park

Eleanor’s father is never named in the novel—he is not a significant presence in her life, though he also lives in Omaha. Eleanor sees her father as a selfish man with a gambling problem who has never put her or her siblings first. He has even moved on to a new fiancée—and has a new child, Matt, with her—which makes Eleanor feel even more rejected. He does invite Eleanor to come babysit one evening, but isn’t able to pay what he promised her at the end of the night, and doesn’t seem to view her as much more than a helping hand.

Eleanor’s father Character Timeline in Eleanor and Park

The timeline below shows where the character Eleanor’s father appears in Eleanor and Park. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...her mother has no car or even a phone; the idea of calling her estranged father is laughable. Eleanor sits on the steps of the school building, staring at the bus,... (full context)

...tells Eleanor that the reason she called her down to the office is because Eleanor’s father called the school looking for her—Mrs. Dunne offers Eleanor the use of her office phone... (full context)

Eleanor calls her father, who asks how she is—and why she never calls. Eleanor feels there’s no use telling... (full context)

Eleanor tells her mother about her father’s offer in front of all the other kids—but Sabrina tells Eleanor she can’t go. Eleanor’s... (full context)

...still wants his number. She says she does, and explains that she’s babysitting at her father’s house on Friday. She tells Park to tell her his number, and promises to memorize... (full context)

...She’s so excited to get out of the house and spend some time at her father’s place—and to talk to Park on the phone. Eleanor hasn’t seen her dad in at... (full context)

After school, Eleanor sits on the steps and waits for her father. Enough time passes that she’s worried he’s not going to come at all—but then he... (full context)

Eleanor looks through her father’s old records, and is taken back to pleasant memories of listening to music as a... (full context)

...angry, goes into the kitchen and begins slamming cabinets as he gets dinner ready. His father comes in and yells at him, urging him to take his anger out through exercise... (full context)

...she could never embarrass him. Eleanor tells Park that she has seen headlights flashing outside—her father is home, and she has to get off the phone. Before he hangs up, Park... (full context)

The next day, before leaving her father’s house, Eleanor steals some toothbrushes and soap from the hall closet. Her father only pays... (full context)

...Park is getting dressed to go next door to his grandparents’ house for dinner. His father’s parents are gregarious Irish people—Park is resentful that he didn’t get more of their genes.... (full context)

...there any longer. Park suggests Eleanor go to her dad’s house, but Eleanor says her father doesn’t want her. Park asks her where she’ll go, and she says that she might... (full context)