FATHER TO SON QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

 

FATHER TO SON

CLASS-11 HORNBILL 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

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1. What is the conflict in the poem?

Answer: The main conflict lies in the emotional gap between the father and the son. Although they live under the same roof, they fail to understand each other, and their relationship is filled with silence. The father feels sorrow for the lost connection and wishes to rebuild it, reflecting the pain caused by the difference between generations.

2. How does the father describe his knowledge of his son?

Answer: The father confesses that he barely knows his son. Even though they have lived together for many years, he feels like his son is a stranger to him. This distance and lack of communication make the father realize that their relationship has failed in understanding each other.

3. What does the father mean when he says, "prodigal son"?

Answer: The father mentions the “prodigal son” as a reference from the Bible that stands for forgiveness and reunion. He wishes that his own son, like the prodigal son, will come back to him with love so that they can mend their broken relationship and become close again.

4.  Comment on the poet's view of generation gap in the poem.

Answer: The poem shows the generation gap through the father’s understanding that his son has different likes, beliefs, and preferences. They fail to find common ground, which leads to emotional distance between them. The gap exists not just because of age, but also because they cannot truly understand one another.

5. What responsibility does the father take for this distance between him and his son?

Answer: The father feels a deep sense of guilt and begins to question whether he is to blame for the distance between them. He wonders if he has failed in his role as a parent or if his son has simply chosen to walk his own path. This inner conflict reflects his sadness and helplessness.

6. Describe the father's feelings for his son.

Answer: The father in the poem feels helpless, lonely, and full of regret because he can no longer understand his son. Although they live together, they seem like strangers. He feels sad that their talks have lost warmth and that silence now fills their relationship. He compares their strained bond to a seed that never grew, showing his disappointment. The father also feels guilty and wonders if he is to blame for their distance.

    Still, deep inside, he hopes for reconciliation. He wishes his son would come back to him, like the prodigal son from the Bible, so that they can rebuild their relationship. In the end, he reaches out an “empty hand,” which represents his longing to forgive and reconnect with his son.

7. Describe the comparison of "seed" in the poem.

Answer: In the poem, the father compares his relationship with his son to a seed he once planted, but which never grew into a healthy plant. He wonders if he had somehow “killed the seed” or placed it in the wrong soil, where it could not take root. This metaphor suggests the failure to nurture and strengthen their bond.

    The father feels that despite his sincere efforts, his connection with his son has not developed into love and understanding. The seed represents the father’s care and sense of responsibility, while its failure to grow shows the emotional distance between them. Through this image, the poet expresses the father’s guilt, helplessness, and deep regret for losing the closeness they once shared.

    Even with all the pain, the father still hopes for reconciliation. He wishes his son would return to him, like the prodigal son from the Bible, so they could rebuild their relationship. In the end, he extends an “empty hand,” symbolizing his longing to forgive, to be forgiven, and to reconnect.

8. Describe the issue of guilt and helplessness in the poem.

Answer: In the poem, the father feels a deep sense of guilt for not being able to understand his son. He questions whether he is to blame for their broken relationship, comparing it to a seed that failed to grow. He feels powerless because he cannot relate to his son’s interests or thoughts, and they now live more like strangers than family.

    Their relationship is filled with silence, leaving no space for open communication. Yet, the father’s tone is not one of anger but of sadness and regret. He wishes to reconnect with his son but does not know how to bridge the distance between them. The image of his empty hand at the end reflects both his helplessness and his willingness to forgive and rebuild their bond. The poem movingly captures the emotional pain of a father who recognizes his mistakes but still hopes for reconciliation.

9. Explain the theme of reconciliation.

Answer: The main theme of the poem is reconciliation. Even though the father grieves over the broken bond with his son, he does not lose faith in love. He sincerely wishes to forgive his son and start their relationship anew. The mention of the “prodigal son” reflects his deep hope that his child will return and they can be close again.

    In the final lines, both father and son reach out with “empty hands,” a striking image that represents their shared wish to rebuild their connection. The father’s hand stands for forgiveness, while the son’s hand shows his willingness to accept it. Jennings concludes the poem on a hopeful note, showing that reconciliation—though challenging—is possible when both hearts are open. This makes the poem timeless and meaningful, as it expresses a universal longing to heal broken relationships.

10. How does the relationship between the father and son in the poem represent the universal experiences found in all families?

Answer: The poem shows a father–son relationship that represents many families around the world. Parents and children may live under the same roof, yet they often fail to understand one another. Differences in thoughts, values, and ways of communication create emotional distance between them. The father’s sense of regret and his desire to reconnect express the sadness that many parents feel when their children grow apart.

    The son’s silence shows how young people sometimes move away to find their own identity and independence. Still, both the father and the son share a deep wish to make peace. The image of “empty hands” reaching out for forgiveness stands for the universal hope to mend broken relationships. Elizabeth Jennings beautifully presents a situation that speaks to every generation, making the poem lasting and meaningful for all.

11. What is the message of the poem?

Answer: The poem teaches that communication and understanding are vital for healthy relationships, especially between parents and children. The father feels regret for not truly knowing his son, even though they live together, and wishes for a chance to reconnect. Jennings suggests that the gap between generations is natural but can be bridged through love and forgiveness.

    The biblical allusion to the prodigal son and the image of open, empty hands express the hope for reunion. The poem shows that anger and sorrow often come from misunderstanding, yet forgiveness can mend emotional pain. In the end, Jennings reminds us that love should rise above pride, and broken relationships can be restored when both sides make an effort.

12. Write a critical appreciation of the poem Father to Son.

Answer: Elizabeth Jennings’ Father to Son is a touching poem that explores the gap between generations and the emotional distance within families. Written in free verse, it has no fixed rhyme or rhythm, which mirrors the natural flow of the father’s thoughts. The poem is voiced entirely by the father, who shares his feelings of sadness, regret, and his deep wish to reconnect with his son.

    Jennings uses several literary devices to add depth to the poem — the seed acts as a metaphor for their strained relationship, the prodigal son and empty hands serve as symbols of loss and forgiveness, while imagery like silence surrounds highlights emotional isolation. Although the tone is filled with sorrow, the poem ends on a hopeful note, suggesting that love can heal even the widest gaps. With its simple yet expressive language, Jennings beautifully portrays the pain and hope in family relationships, making the poem relatable and deeply moving.

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