6.2. Father to Son - Class 11 - Hornbill

BhashaLab
Jul 6
4 min read

Updated: Jul 7

Author: By Elizabeth Jennings

Textbook: Hornbill (CBSE Class XI)

Genre: Poem / Dramatic Monologue

Summary

“Father to Son” by Elizabeth Jennings is a heartfelt poem that explores the emotional distance between a father and his son. Although they have lived together for years, the father feels he no longer understands his son. He remembers the boy's childhood and longs to rebuild their lost connection. He questions whether the fault lies in his own upbringing or in the son's need for independence.

The father grieves their lack of communication and wishes his son would return to him, like the biblical prodigal son. He wants to forgive and renew their relationship. The son, too, seems confused by the anger that has grown from sadness. Both father and son reach out with empty hands, longing for love and understanding. The poem ends on a note of shared loneliness and the desire for reconciliation.

Character Sketch

The Father:

He is loving but confused and helpless. Despite raising his son, he feels like a stranger to him. He blames himself for the distance and longs to reconnect. His emotions are sincere, and he is ready to forgive and rebuild the bond.

The Son:

He is silent and distant but not without feelings. He also feels the grief and wants to be understood. Although he has drifted away, he longs for a reason to reconnect and heal the relationship.

Themes

Theme	Description
Generation Gap	Highlights the emotional and ideological distance between parents and children.
Communication Breakdown	Lack of meaningful conversation leads to misunderstanding and grief.
Parental Love	The father still loves his son deeply and is ready to forgive and reconnect.
Identity and Independence	The son seeks to build his own world, different from his father's.
Longing for Reconciliation	Both father and son silently hope for healing and renewed love.

✨ Literary Devices / Poetic Devices

Device	Example / Explanation
Enjambment	The poem flows from line to line without punctuation, showing emotional overflow.
Metaphor	"The seed I spent or sown it where the land is his" — child as a seed and growth.
Allusion	Reference to the biblical story of the prodigal son returning home.
Repetition	“We speak like strangers” — emphasizes the emotional gap.
Contrast	Between past (childhood) and present (alienation); love and silence.

Title Justification

The title “Father to Son” is entirely appropriate as it clearly presents the central theme of the poem — the broken relationship between a father and his son. The poem captures the father’s perspective and emotional struggle as he tries to understand his son's growing distance. It reflects his efforts to communicate, love, and reconnect. The title emphasizes the personal and universal bond between father and son, highlighting both love and pain.

One-Mark Questions

1. What is the central problem the father faces in the poem?

→ The father feels emotionally distant from his son despite living under the same roof. He cannot understand the person his son has become.

2. What does the father wish for in the poem?

→ He wishes his son would return like the prodigal son. He longs to forgive and rebuild their lost bond.

3. How does the poet describe the communication between father and son?

→ They “speak like strangers” and “there’s no sign of understanding.” This shows complete lack of emotional connection.

4. What does the phrase “the seed I spent” signify?

→ It refers to the father’s efforts in raising his son. He wonders if they failed or grew in unfamiliar ground.

5. Why do both father and son “put out an empty hand”?

→ It symbolizes their shared desire for reconciliation and forgiveness. Both are waiting for the other to make the first move.

Three-Mark Questions

1. Explain how the poem portrays the theme of the generation gap.

→ The poem shows the emotional distance between a father and his son. Despite living together, they don’t truly know each other. The father cannot understand his son’s choices and interests, and the son cannot relate to his father's world. This lack of understanding creates silence and frustration. It reflects the common gap between generations, where values and ideas clash.

2. What emotions does the father express in the poem?

→ The father feels sadness, regret, confusion, and hope. He mourns the lost connection with his son and wonders where he went wrong. He longs to rebuild the bond and is willing to forgive. Despite his pain, he holds no anger. His love remains constant, but he doesn’t know how to bridge the gap.

3. How does the poem reflect the need for communication in relationships?

→ The poem underlines that silence leads to misunderstanding and emotional isolation. The father and son live together but cannot talk openly. The father expresses his wish to reconnect, but both are waiting for the other to act. Their grief comes from love, not hatred. The poem ends with the hope that communication can bring healing.

Value-Based Question

Q. What lesson does the poem “Father to Son” teach us about family relationships?→ The poem teaches that love alone is not enough — understanding and communication are equally important. In families, especially between parents and children, emotional distance can silently grow if not addressed. The poem reminds us to express our feelings, forgive mistakes, and be open to change. A small effort from both sides can restore even the most broken bonds. Love, when combined with patience and conversation, can heal all wounds.

End

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