The story "The Rich Brother" by Tobias Wolff represents the same concept that ordinary people all over the world encounter. This shows how having siblings can be a huge part of a person's life. Sibling rivalry is often very competitive, but at the same time magnet-like. When they are not connected it may appear that they are independent and whole, but when examined closely it is obvious that they rely on each other to function properly. Although Pete and Donald's lives are separate and completely different, they are actually very dependent on each other. The meaning of dependence is the act of being influenced by, relying on someone or needing help or support. Dependence is one of the main characteristics that both Pete and Donald portray without it being easily understood. Pete needs Donald as much as Donald needs Pete emotionally. Throughout this short story Donald seems to have a life incomparable to Pete's, but both brothers are missing something, and that something is the other. The story begins with Wolff describing the two brothers, Pete is the successful cocky brother with a life that people dream about, and Donald is the younger brother who tries to do something for everyone else when he can. Donald had made strange decisions, such as going to live on a farm that members of his community had purchased to form a family of faith. When Donald became unhappy he became dependent on Pete because he had nowhere to go, no car, no money. Pete intervened and went to pick him up and take him back to his house. If Pete hadn't cared about Donald, even though they are brothers, he would have made Donald independent and live in the real world. Pete is... a paper medium... this unfair life for Donald to come out on top in the end." Donald had invested the hundred dollars Pete had given him in what Pete thought was extremely outrageous. Then he got worried when he heard that Donald would do something to make fun of him. In conclusion, co-dependency and rivalry are very common in the world today. Although it is not a big problem in the open, it is just an emotional attachment the two can define main aspects of having siblings is the theme that revolves around codependency and rivalry Having siblings is a part of everyday life and issues occur that sometimes make a person or change them in ways Donald are completely different people but they actually depend on each other a lot. Work cited Wolff, Tobias "Rich Brother" New York: Bantam.