Hornbill (Poem): Father to Son

Topics in this chapter

• Father-Son Estrangement
• Identity and Generational Conflict
• Communication and Emotional Distance
• Love, Guilt, and Reconciliation
• Shared Humanity and Coexistence
• Agricultural and Biblical Imagery
• Voice, Structure, and Poetic Form

Cheat sheet

Practice questions

1. Question 1Q-7C9EF3

   In "Father to Son," what is the main source of the father's pain?

   1. A.His son's poor academic performance
   2. B.The emotional distance between him and his son
   3. C.His son's decision to leave the country
   4. D.His inability to provide a comfortable home
   See the answer and solution
2. Question 2Q-A3F813

   What does the father's reference to the son as a "prodigal" suggest in "Father to Son"?

   1. A.He wants his son to become financially successful.
   2. B.He hopes his son will return emotionally and restore their relationship.
   3. C.He believes his son has permanently rejected the family.
   4. D.He wants his son to leave home and become independent.
   See the answer and solution
3. Question 3Q-3FB34B

   What central idea is conveyed by the father's statement that his son is "built to my design" but that he cannot share what his son loves?

   1. A.Physical resemblance and parentage do not guarantee emotional understanding.
   2. B.Children always reject everything their parents teach them.
   3. C.The father is proud that his son has copied all his interests.
   4. D.The son has no interests or identity of his own.
   See the answer and solution
4. Question 4Q-DF54D2

   How does Elizabeth Jennings present the possibility of reconciliation between the father and the son in "Father to Son"?

   See the answer and solution
5. Question 5Q-DE274C

   In the line “We speak like strangers, there’s no sign of understanding,” the comparison mainly emphasises the father and son's

   1. A.physical distance from each other
   2. B.emotional alienation and failure to communicate
   3. C.mutual interest in travelling
   4. D.fear of meeting unfamiliar people
   See the answer and solution