FATHER RETURNING HOME
Summary:
The poem "Father Returning
Home" portrays the image of an aging father coming back home after a long
day. He is depicted as a weary figure, traveling on the late evening train,
surrounded by other commuters. The suburban landscape passes by unnoticed as
his eyes seem distant and dimmed by age.
The father's appearance reflects his hard
day's work and the challenges he faces. His clothes are soaked and muddy, his
bag filled with books is falling apart. Despite his weariness, he hurries
homeward, crossing the railway line and entering the lane.
Back at home, the scene continues with the
father drinking weak tea and eating a stale chapati while engrossed in reading
a book. In a contemplative moment, he goes to the toilet, perhaps seeking
solace from the world's complexities. The imagery of cold water running over
his hands and clinging droplets on his greying hairs adds a touch of
vulnerability to his character.
The poem hints at a strained relationship
between the father and his sullen children. They have often refused to share
jokes and secrets with him, suggesting a lack of emotional connection.
Nevertheless, the father carries on, finding solace in listening to the static
on the radio as he dreams of his ancestors and grandchildren. The final lines
evoke a sense of longing for a connection to the past, represented by thoughts
of nomads entering a subcontinent through a narrow pass.
Overall, the poem conveys a poignant portrayal
of an aging father's journey through life and his search for meaning and
connection amidst the complexities of the world.
Glossary:
1.
Commuters: People who travel regularly between work and
home, usually by public transportation.
2.
Suburbs: Residential areas on the outskirts of a city
or town.
3.
Soggy: Wet and soaked.
4.
Raincoat: A waterproof coat worn to protect from rain.
5.
Stained: Marked or discoloured.
6.
Chappals: Sandals or slippers worn in some parts of
South Asia.
7.
Humid: Having a high level of moisture or dampness
in the air.
8.
Monsoon: A seasonal wind pattern that brings heavy
rain, common in South Asia.
9.
Platform: A raised area at a train station where
passengers board and alight trains.
10. Contemplate:
To think deeply or reflect upon something.
11. Estrangement:
A feeling of being disconnected or alienated from others.
12. Droplets:
Small drops of liquid.
13. Greying:
Turning gray, referring to hair color.
14. Sullen:
Gloomy or sulky in mood or demeanor.
15. Static:
Unchanging or lacking movement.
16. Ancestors:
People from whom one is descended, usually in previous generations.
17. Nomads:
People who travel from place to place without having a fixed home.
18. Subcontinent:
A large landmass that is smaller than a continent, often referring to the
Indian subcontinent.
Antonyms:
1.
Commuters - Stay-at-home, non-travelers
2.
Suburbs - City center, urban
3.
Soggy - Dry, crisp
4.
Raincoat - Dry clothes, unprotected
5.
Stained - Clean, unblemished
6.
Chappals - Closed shoes, boots
7.
Humid - Dry, arid
8.
Monsoon - Dry season
9.
Platform - Underground, lower level
10. Contemplate
- Ignore, disregard
11. Estrangement
- Connection, closeness
12. Droplets
- Stream, flow
13. Greying
- Darkening, coloring
14. Sullen
- Cheerful, happy
15. Static
- Dynamic, changing
16. Ancestors
- Descendants, offspring
17. Nomads
- Settlers, residents
18. Subcontinent
- Continent, main continent
Synonyms:
1.
Train - Locomotive, railway
2.
Standing - Stationary, still
3.
Silent - Quiet, hushed
4.
Suburbs - Outskirts, outskirts
5.
Unseeing - Unobservant, unaware
6.
Soggy - Drenched, soaked
7.
Raincoat - Waterproof, slicker
8.
Stained - Soiled, tainted
9.
Mud - Muck, dirt
10. Dimmed
- Faded, reduced
11. Homeward
- Returning, back home
12. Humid
- Muggy, damp
13. Monsoon
- Rainstorm, deluge
14. Platform
- Platform, station
15. Crosses
- Passes, traverses
16. Lane
- Alley, pathway
17. Chappals
- Sandals, flip-flops
18. Sticky
- Adhesive, tacky
19. Trembles
- Shakes, quivers
20. Sink
- Basin, washbasin
21. Cold
- Chilly, freezing
22. Sullen
- Gloomy, morose
23. Refused
- Denied, rejected
24. Secrets
- Confidential, classified
25. Radio
- Wireless, receiver
26. Dreaming
- Fantasizing, daydreaming
27. Ancestors
- Forebears, predecessors
28. Grandchildren - Grandkids, descendants
29. Nomads
- Wanderers, itinerants
30. Subcontinent
- Continent, landmass
Comprehension Questions and Answers:
1.
What is the poem
"Father Returning Home" about?
Ans: The poem "Father Returning Home" is about a father's
journey back home on the late evening train and his daily routine once he
reaches home.
2.
How does the poet
describe the appearance of the father when he returns home?
Ans: The poet describes the father as standing among silent
commuters on the late evening train. He is wearing a soggy shirt and pants, and
his black raincoat is stained with mud. His bag, stuffed with books, is falling
apart. His eyes are dimmed by age, and he appears lost in his thoughts as he
heads homeward through the humid monsoon night.
3.
What season is it
when the father returns home, and how does it affect the surroundings?
Ans: The season is the monsoon, which is characterized by heavy
rainfall and humidity. The surroundings are described as yellow light suburbs
sliding past, and the father's chappals are sticky with mud due to the rain.
4.
Describe the
father's actions after he gets off the train and reaches home.
Ans: After getting off the train, the father hurries across the
length of the grey platform, crosses the railway line, and enters the lane.
Despite his chappals being sticky with mud, he hurries onward.
5.
How do the
children treat the father, and how does he spend his time at home?
0 comments:
Post a Comment