NCERT Solutions: Poem 5 - Father to Son

Think It Out

Q1: Does the poem talk of an exclusively personal experience or is it fairly universal?
Ans: The poem describes a personal experience of a strained relationship between a father and his son. However, it is also fairly universal because such conflicts between parents and children are common in many families. It reflects the problem of the generation gap and lack of communication.

Q2: How is the father's helplessness brought out in the poem?
Ans: The father's helplessness is shown through his inability to understand his son despite living together for years. He feels emotionally distant and says, "I know / Nothing of him" and "We speak like strangers." Although he wants to rebuild the relationship and expresses a willingness to forgive, he does not know how to bridge the gap. This highlights his deep sense of regret and helplessness.

Q3: Identify the phrases and lines that indicate distance between father and son.
Ans: Phrases/lines that indicate distance between the father and the son are:

• 'I do not understand this child'
• 'I know / Nothing of him'
• 'We speak like strangers'
• 'there's no sign/ Of understanding in the air'
• 'Silence surrounds us.'

Q4: Does the poem have a consistent rhyme scheme?
Ans: No, the poem does not follow a consistent rhyme scheme.