bull meecham the great santini
...ago he married Lillian and then moved down south. When living their Bull was influenced by some aspects of southerners, “You hear me? Keep out of that nigger shit.” Bull Meechem is not really a racist but he has just taken on southern life and believes it’s accepted. Bull is what psychologists call an alpha male. Bull Meechem has a self-confidence problem he must constantly establish his dominance over his family. When Mary Anne tries to condone Bull on his loss instead of saying thank your or just ignoring her he tell her “ Get out of here before I start knocking every freckle off your face” This comment was obviously unnecessary and offend Mary Anne deeply. Another horrible side to Bull is his physical abuse to Lillian and the kids. Countless times Bull has struck either Lillian or the kids. Though Lillian denies it Ben reminds her and the reader that Bull has struck her in the past. “‘Your nose was bleeding and that’s how I ruined this T-shirt. I’ve kept it, Mama, because I wanted it as proof. This is your blood, Mama. Your blood’” “ ‘He never hit me’ Lillian insisted”. These tantrums by Bull only alienate his children and his wife from him but he can still obtain their utmost respect and discipline. Colonel Bull Meechem is a man who walks into a bar and instantly does a fellow serviceman buy a drink for him. Bull Meechem may have beaten his family acted like a racist and stumble in the door drunk but he is described as on of the most honorable prideful and respectable Marine fighter pilots in the history of the corps. At the moment before his death Bull had a choice save him self and be at risk at killing others or stay in the plane until it is safely away from civilian areas. “...