Question

What might it mean that Kevin feels caught between two different “fathers”—at home with his family and at school with his teacher, who is a priest? Why might the author give this word multiple meanings? Your answer should be between one and three paragraphs in length.

Answer 1

Kevin's earthly father may not be living the standards that his Heavenly Father has put forth.  

He should feel secure in the teachings of this bible, and if his priest is following those teachings, and if Kevin is following those teachings, then Kevin is pleasing his Heavenly Father.  

It is never easy, but ultimately, our Heavenly Father is the way and the light.

**These are not complete paragraphs.  You'll have to add your own detail :)

Answer 2

The word father in the story has two meanings. First, it implies the love and protection of his biological father. Kevin’s father is a cheerful man who is always willing to help his son and provides a warm and loving home. Kevin’s teacher, on the other hand, is a cold man who ridicules Kevin. The author uses these two “fathers” to develop the theme of fatherly love in the story. Father Waldo represents discipline, restrictions, and strict social hierarchy. At school Kevin is encouraged to be ashamed of his father because of his lack of education and job as a barman. Ironically it’s his father and family who encourage him to value his education:

“We never got the chance,” his mother would say to him. “It wouldn’t have done me much good but your father could have bettered himself. He’d be teaching or something now instead of serving behind a bar. He could stand up with the best of them.”

Thus the author is setting up a choice for Kevin to make. He can choose to reject his roots and embrace the social order of the school or cling to his place as a member of the family. Kevin makes his choice in the end, when he lies to his father to protect him from the shame of not having the correct answers.