Gwen Harwood's "Father and Child" is a profound two-part poem that explores the evolving relationship between a father and child across different stages of life. The poem examines universal themes of innocence, mortality, love, and memory through two distinct but connected parts: "Barn Owl" and "Nightfall".
In Part One, "Barn Owl," we witness a pivotal childhood moment. The child, driven by a desire for power and independence, takes the father's gun and shoots a barn owl. What begins as an attempt to demonstrate prowess quickly turns into horror as the child witnesses the owl's prolonged suffering. This traumatic experience marks the end of childhood innocence, as the child confronts the brutal reality of death and the consequences of their actions.
Part Two, "Nightfall," presents a profound role reversal. The adult child now cares for their elderly, dying father, becoming the protector and observer of his decline. This section is deeply reflective and tender, contrasting the father's current frailty with the strength remembered from childhood. The memory of the barn owl incident resurfaces, highlighting how past experiences shape present understanding and the enduring bond between father and child.
The two parts of the poem are intricately connected through memory and experience. The childhood trauma of the barn owl incident becomes a lens through which the adult child understands mortality and the fragility of life. This formative experience shapes their perspective as they now care for their aging father. The poem reveals how past experiences inform present understanding, and how the enduring bond between father and child creates a cyclical pattern of protection and care that transcends generations.
Gwen Harwood's "Father and Child" masterfully weaves together universal themes of life, death, memory, and love. The poem demonstrates how formative experiences shape our understanding of mortality and relationships. Through vivid imagery and emotional depth, it portrays the cyclical nature of existence - from childhood innocence to adult responsibility, from being protected to becoming the protector. Ultimately, the poem celebrates the enduring power of love that transcends time and connects generations, showing how the father-child bond remains constant even as roles reverse and circumstances change.