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NCERT Class 11 English Hornbill Poem 5 Father to Son by Elizabeth Jennings, talks about the emotional gap between a father and his son. Even though they live in the same house, the father feels like he does not know his own child. He misses how his son used to be when he was a little boy and wants to rebuild their bond.
This poem shows the pain and confusion that can come from changes in relationships over time, especially between parents and children. This blog gives you easy-to-understand NCERT Class 11 English Father to Son notes with explanations, meanings, and analysis to help you better understand the poem’s message.
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Explore Notes of Class 11 English Hornbill Textbook
Important Word Meanings in ‘Father to Son’ by Elizabeth Jennings
In NCERT Class 11 English Hornbill Poem 5 Father to Son, the poet uses certain words and phrases that show the emotional gap between the father and his child. Understanding these will help you connect better with the feelings in the poem.
| Word / Phrase | Meaning |
| Prodigal | A reference to the biblical “Prodigal Son” who returns after being lost |
| Seed I spent | The father’s effort or love while raising his child |
| Land is his and none of mine | Symbolic of emotional distance—the son’s world is separate |
| Silence surrounds us | They are not communicating; there’s emotional silence |
| Empty hand | A symbol of helplessness and desire to reconnect |
Class 11 English Summary of ‘Father to Son’ by Elizabeth Jennings
In this poem, a father talks about how he feels distant from his own son, even though they live in the same house. He feels like he doesn’t know his son at all and wishes to rebuild their relationship by remembering how his son was when he was younger. The father wonders if he made mistakes while raising his son, or if his son has just changed as he grew up.
The father wishes his son would return to him like the “prodigal son” from the Bible—a lost son who comes back and is welcomed with love. He wants to forgive and love him again. In the end, both father and son are shown reaching out to each other emotionally, wanting to fix their bond. They are hurt, but also ready to forgive and rebuild their bond.
Line-by-Line Explanation of Poem ‘Father to Son’
Stanza 1:
“I do not understand this child
Though we have lived together now
In the same house for years.”
The father starts by expressing confusion and sadness. He feels emotionally distant from his own son, even though they have lived under the same roof for many years. The use of the word “child” instead of “son” highlights the emotional detachment and unfamiliarity.
“I know
Nothing of him, so try to build
Up a relationship from how
He was when small.”
The father admits that he no longer knows his son. To fix this broken relationship, he tries to remember how the son was as a little boy—innocent, loving, and easier to understand. He hopes that by recalling the past, he can rebuild a connection in the present.
Stanza 2:
“Yet have I killed
The seed I spent or sown it where
The land is his and none of mine?”
In this part of the poem, the father uses a metaphor. He asks himself if he is the reason their relationship is broken. He compares raising his son to planting a seed. He wonders if he did something wrong that made the seed (their bond) die. Or maybe he raised his son in a way that made him grow up in a different world, where he feels far away from his father.
“We speak like strangers, there’s no sign
Of understanding in the air.”
The father is sad because when they talk, it feels cold and distant. There is no emotional warmth or mutual understanding between them. They live like strangers who don’t truly know each other.
“This child is built to my design
Yet what he loves I cannot share.”
The father reflects that his son was raised according to his own values, upbringing, and guidance (“built to my design”), but now, the son has grown up with different thoughts and feelings. The father doesn’t understand his son’s interests, which makes the distance between them even bigger.
Stanza 3:
“Silence surrounds us.”
This short line powerfully expresses the emotional emptiness and lack of communication. They are physically present but emotionally absent from each other’s lives.
“I would have
Him prodigal, returning to
His father’s house, the home he knew,”
The father wishes his son would return to him emotionally, just like the prodigal son in the Bible, who left his father’s home but was welcomed back with open arms after realizing his mistakes. The father is willing to forgive and forget the past, hoping for a reunion filled with love.
“Rather than see him make and move
His world.”
The father finds it hard to accept that his son has grown up and is living his own life. While this is natural, the father feels hurt and left behind. He wishes his son would come back to him instead of moving further away.
Stanza 4:
“I would forgive him too,
Shaping from sorrow a new love.”
The father is ready to let go of the pain and create a new beginning in their relationship. He wants to replace sorrow with love and understanding.
“Father and son, we both must live
On the same globe and the same land,”
This line shows that even though they are bound by the same world and physical space, they still live in emotional isolation from each other. It’s a tragic irony—they are close yet distant.
“He speaks: I cannot understand
Myself, why anger grows from grief.”
Now, the son’s voice enters the poem. The son is also confused—he feels grief because of the emotional distance, but that grief turns into anger. This shows that he, too, is emotionally hurt.
“We each put out an empty hand,
Longing for something to forgive.”
Both father and son are reaching out to each other emotionally, but they are unsure of what went wrong or who is to blame. They long not only to be forgiven but also to forgive each other and reconnect. The “empty hand” symbolizes vulnerability, openness, and a desire for love.
Also Read:
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Analysis of the Poem ‘Father to Son’ by Elizabeth Jennings
The poem Father to Son by Elizabeth Jennings explores deep emotional themes through simple yet powerful language. Below is a look at its key ideas, symbols, and tone to help you better understand the poem.
About the Poet
Elizabeth Jennings, the poet of “Father to Son,” was a famous English poet (1926-2001). She is known for writing poems that express personal feelings and thoughts. Her poems often explore themes like love, faith, loss, and the challenges in human relationships. Growing up in a Catholic family, her faith influenced her writing. Jennings received many awards for her poetry, and even today, her work is loved for its honest emotions and the way it deals with common human experiences.
Theme of the Poem
The poem’s central idea is the emotional gap between a father and his son. Even though they live together, they fail to understand each other. The father misses the connection they once had and wishes to rebuild it.
Symbolism and Meaning
- The “seed” stands for the father’s love and upbringing.
- “Land is his and none of mine” shows the emotional distance.
- The “prodigal” symbol represents hope for reunion and forgiveness.
Human Experience
This poem reflects a very real experience for many families—generational gaps, emotional distance, and the longing to reconnect.
Tone and Mood
The tone and mood of the poem help show the father’s true feelings. They tell us how he feels about his son and their broken relationship.
| Tone | Mood |
| Confused and Sad | Shows the father’s pain and helplessness |
| Hopeful | He wants to rebuild love and connection |
| Honest and Reflective | Both father and son are sincere in their feelings |
Poetic Devices in Father to Son
Here are some of the key poetic devices used in the poem:
| Device | Example | Effect |
| Metaphor | “Seed I spent” | Symbolizes effort and upbringing |
| Biblical Allusion | “Prodigal” | Suggests forgiveness and return |
| Repetition | “We speak like strangers” | Emphasizes emotional distance |
| Contrast | “Same globe…same land” vs. “no sign of understanding” | Highlights emotional separation despite physical closeness |
| Symbolism | “Empty hand” | Represents longing, helplessness, and the desire to forgive |
Read more NCERT Class 11 English ‘Hornbill’ Solutions here!
| Chapter 1: The Portrait of a Lady |
| Chapter 2: “We’re Not Afraid to Die… if We Can All Be Together” |
| Chapter 3: Discovering Tut: The Saga Continues |
| Chapter 4: The Ailing Plant: The Green Movement’s Role |
| Chapter 5: The Adventure |
| Chapter 6: Silk Road |
| Poem 1: A Photograph |
| Poem 2: The Laburnum Top |
| Poem 3: The Voice of The Rain |
| Poem 4: Childhood |
Explore Notes of Other Subjects of NCERT Class 11
| History | Geography | Political Science | Sociology | Psychology |
FAQs
The poem talks about the emotional distance between a father and his son and the need for communication, understanding, and forgiveness to rebuild the relationship.
He uses this biblical reference to express his hope that his son will return emotionally, and that he will be ready to forgive and welcome him back.
It shows both father and son are reaching out, wanting to reconnect, but don’t know how. They both feel lonely and are waiting for forgiveness and love.
For NCERT study material, follow the NCERT Notes and Solutions Class 11 English by Leverage Edu now.
