Was James deans dad mean to him?

Answer 1

Yes. James Deans father did not accept (and responded negatively) to the emotions, aptitudes, and interests of his son. This made little James feel like an outsider. The father also prioritized his second wife over his son. Call it an old fashined idea of manley posturing, or a mis placed imposition of a social norm on his son, the result was a relationship where son could not go to his father with a single fact about who he really was, and expect any good result. It was text book rejection based on narcissitic ideas of how and who a man should be, instead of a reality based response to his son. James Deans father is not an uncommon man either. I would not fault someone posthumously, but the facts might help someone else, if they are to be said

Its just nicer when your parent understands who you are in reality, instead of imposing some kind of ideas that come from who knows where and making you feel alone, bad about yourself and your future.