How does Eddie’s father help Eddie?

Generally Eddie's father is a constant stress in Eddie's life. Are you referring to a particular chapter?

Yes, chapter nine.

After the war Eddie just sits on his couch all day. He seems to have dropped out of life. Eddie bitterly recalls that the last words his father spoke to him were uttered in a drunken rage, but Ruby points out that his father's pressure did get him off the couch because after their confrontation, Eddie got a job driving a cab.