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I do not understand this child
Though we have lived together now
In the same house for years.
I know Nothing of him, so try to build
Up a relationship from how
He was when small.
a. Who is 'I' in the stanza? Which child is 'I' talking about?
b. Why does he call the child 'this child' rather than 'my child'?
c. Why does 'I' feel that he knows nothing of 'him'?
d. What effort does he make to be able to understand him?
a. The 'I' in the stanza is a father. The child he's talking about is his son.
b. The father uses 'this child' rather than 'my child' to emphasize the emotional distance and estrangement he feels from his son. Despite their biological relation, he feels disconnected from him, as if he were a stranger or an outsider.
c. The father feels that he knows nothing of his son because of a lack of emotional connection or understanding. Despite living in the same house for many years, they haven't been able to form a meaningful bond. This might be due to different interests, generational gaps, a lack of effective communication, or other interpersonal issues.
d. The father could indeed be trying to recollect his son's childhood in an attempt to see things from his son's perspective. By doing so, he might hope to better understand his son's experiences and emotions, thereby improving their relationship. This effort reflects the father's desperation to bridge the gap between them, showing his willingness to empathize with his son and reconnect with him on a deeper level.
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Yet have I killed
The seed I spent or sown it where
The land is his and none of mine?
We speak like strangers, there's no sign
Of understanding in the air.
This child is built to my design
Yet what he loves I cannot share.
a. Explain: 'Yet have I killed / The seed I spent',
b. Why do you think they behave and speak like strangers?
c. What do you understand by "This child is built to my design”?
d. Why can't 'I' share what 'he' loves?
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Does the poem talk of an exclusively personal experience or is it fairly universal?
While "Father to Son" by Elizabeth Jennings seems to revolve around a deeply personal narrative between a father and his son, the themes and emotions that it explores are indeed universally relatable. The estrangement between parent and child, the challenges in understanding each other across the generational divide, and the longing for reconciliation are experiences that many can empathize with.
The poem highlights the dynamics of familial relationships, particularly between parents and their children as they grow older. This change can lead to gaps in understanding and communication, a situation that is far from unique to the father and son in the poem.
Thus, while the poem presents a specific story of a father and his son, its exploration of these themes resonates on a broader, universal level. It sheds light on the complexities of human relationships and emotions, making it relatable to a wide audience.
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How is the father’s helplessness brought out in the poem?
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Identify the phrases and lines that indicate the distance between father and son.
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Does the poem have a consistent rhyme scheme?
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Elizabeth Jennings (1926-2001) was an acclaimed English poet, noted for her lyrical and emotive style. Born in Boston, Lincolnshire, she studied at St Anne's College, Oxford. A prominent figure in 'The Movement,' a group of English writers in the 1950's and 1960's known for their opposition to the overly elaborate and obscure poetry of the time, Jennings championed simplicity and clarity in her verse. Her poems often explore themes of spirituality , morality , love, and mental health , reflecting her own struggles with mental illness. Despite her challenges, she published over twenty books of poetry during her lifetime, earning numerous accolades , including the W.H. Smith Literary Award in 1987.
1. estrangement and Misunderstanding
A prominent theme in the poem is the estrangement and misunderstanding between the father and son. Despite living together for years and sharing the same physical and emotional spaces, the father confesses his lack of understanding of his son. He describes their communication as being "like strangers," illustrating a profound emotional disconnect. The son's ....
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Elizabeth Jennings employs various poetic devices in her poem "Father to Son." Here are some of the key ones:
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