Before the long walk to his firing, Bert teaches the father about fatherhood and how he can connect with his children.

In the process of my own reply I also remembered this bit where Bert catches up to the kids after the fracas at the bank. The entire speech is sympathetic to a father's lot as a hard worker and a man's role as a silent sufferer and final fallback.

Who looks after your father? Tell me that. When something terrible happens, what does he do? Fends for himself, he does. Who does he tell about it? No one. He don't blab his troubles at home. He just pushes on at his job, uncomplainin' and alone and silent.

This part stuck somewhere in my psyche through the years and remains a good description of manhood, so this movie can't be all that subversive. It even starts playing George's song motif in the background on this bit. Highly sympathetic.