Father to Son Important Short and Long Question Class 11 Poem-5 Book-Hornbill

Short Answer Questions:

1. Why does the father feel distant from his son?

Answer: 

The father feels distant from his son because they do not understand each other and have no shared interests, despite living together for years.

2. What does the father remember about his son’s childhood?

Answer: 

The father remembers how his son was when he was small and tries to reconnect by recalling those memories, but he realizes that his son has changed.

3. What is the significance of the line “We speak like strangers”?

Answer: 

This line shows the emotional distance between the father and son. Although they live together, they lack communication and understanding.

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

Answer: 

The father wishes for his son to return to him emotionally, like the prodigal son in the Bible, so they can rebuild their bond.

5. What is the son’s perspective in the poem?

Answer: 

The son also feels lost and confused about his emotions. He doesn’t understand why his grief turns into anger, showing his inner struggle.

6. What does the empty hand symbolize at the end of the poem?

Answer: 

The empty hand symbolizes their longing for love and reconciliation, but neither knows how to bridge the gap between them.

Long Answer Questions:

1. What is the central theme of the poem?

Answer: 

The central theme of the poem is the emotional gap between parents and children, especially as children grow up and form their own identities. The poem highlights the father’s struggle to connect with his son and the son’s internal conflict. It also explores themes of misunderstanding, loneliness, and the desire for forgiveness and reconciliation.

2. How does the poem depict the generation gap between the father and son?

Answer: 

The poem vividly illustrates the generation gap through the father’s inability to understand his son’s interests and emotions. The father tries to hold on to the past, but the son has grown into an individual with different experiences. They struggle to communicate, making them feel like strangers despite living together. The father’s longing for his son’s return shows his desire to mend their relationship, but the gap between them remains.

3. Explain the father’s reference to the ‘Prodigal Son’ in the poem.

Answer: 

The father refers to the biblical story of the Prodigal Son, where a son leaves home, makes mistakes, and eventually returns, seeking forgiveness. The father in the poem wishes his son would return to him emotionally so they could rebuild their bond. This reference reflects the father’s willingness to forgive and his deep yearning for reconciliation.

4. What role does forgiveness play in the poem?

Answer: 

Forgiveness is a key theme in the poem. Both the father and son feel lost and disconnected, yet they both silently long for reconciliation. The father expresses his willingness to forgive, but the son struggles with his emotions, making it difficult for them to communicate. The poem suggests that forgiveness could help heal their strained relationship if they find a way to express their feelings.

5. What emotions are expressed in the last stanza of the poem?

Answer: 

The last stanza expresses deep sorrow, longing, and helplessness. Both the father and son extend an “empty hand,” symbolizing their desire to connect, but they fail to bridge the emotional gap. The father feels grief, while the son struggles with anger and confusion. Their silent longing for understanding and forgiveness highlights their shared pain and emotional distance.