Introduction: “Father” by Edgar Albert Guest
“Father” by Edgar Albert Guest, first appeared in his 1916 poetry collection A Heap o’ Livin’, like much of Guest’s work, emphasizes themes of family, responsibility, and the quiet heroism of ordinary life. In “Father,” Guest paints a vivid portrait of a hardworking, self-sacrificing father who toils not for recognition but out of love and duty to his family. The poem resonated widely with audiences for its accessible language and its celebration of the everyday person’s dignity—a hallmark of Guest’s poetry that earned him the title “The People’s Poet.” Its popularity endures because it captures universal experiences and values, giving voice to the silent efforts and sacrifices often made by family members, particularly fathers, in a way that is relatable and warmly evocative.
Text: “Father” by Edgar Albert Guest
My father knows the proper way
The nation should be run;
He tells us children every day
Just what should now be done.
He knows the way to fix the trusts,
He has a simple plan;
But if the furnace needs repairs,
We have to hire a man.
My father, in a day or two
Could land big thieves in jail;
There’s nothing that he cannot do,
He knows no word like “fail.”
“Our confidence” he would restore,
Of that there is no doubt;
But if there is a chair to mend,
We have to send it out.
All public questions that arise,
He settles on the spot;
He waits not till the tumult dies,
But grabs it while it’s hot.
In matters of finance he can
Tell Congress what to do;
But, O, he finds it hard to meet
His bills as they fall due.
It almost makes him sick to read
The things law-makers say;
Why, father’s just the man they need,
He never goes astray.
All wars he’d very quickly end,
As fast as I can write it;
But when a neighbor starts a fuss,
’Tis mother has to fight it.
In conversation father can
Do many wondrous things;
He’s built upon a wiser plan
Than presidents or kings.
He knows the ins and outs of each
And every deep transaction;
We look to him for theories,
But look to ma for action.
Annotations: “Father” by Edgar Albert Guest
| Line | Annotation |
| My father knows the proper way the nation should be run; | The speaker’s father is portrayed as opinionated and knowledgeable about national issues. |
| He tells us children every day just what should now be done. | The father often shares his opinions and solutions with his children. |
| He knows the way to fix the trusts, he has a simple plan; | The father claims to know solutions for complex issues, like the “trusts” (referring to monopolies). |
| But if the furnace needs repairs, we have to hire a man. | Despite his grand ideas, the father can’t handle practical household repairs, highlighting a humorous irony. |
| My father, in a day or two, could land big thieves in jail; | The speaker exaggerates the father’s abilities, suggesting he could quickly fix major societal issues like crime. |
| There’s nothing that he cannot do, he knows no word like “fail.” | The father is depicted as confident and determined, almost to the point of arrogance. |
| “Our confidence” he would restore, of that there is no doubt; | The speaker claims the father could restore public confidence, suggesting he has bold ideas about leadership. |
| But if there is a chair to mend, we have to send it out. | Again, there’s irony as the father is helpless with practical tasks despite his lofty ambitions. |
| All public questions that arise, he settles on the spot; | The father is quick to offer solutions for any societal problem, displaying his self-assured nature. |
| He waits not till the tumult dies, but grabs it while it’s hot. | He’s proactive in his opinions, addressing issues immediately rather than waiting. |
| In matters of finance he can tell Congress what to do; | The father believes he understands economics well enough to advise Congress, reflecting his self-importance. |
| But, O, he finds it hard to meet his bills as they fall due. | Irony is present again, as the father has personal financial struggles despite claiming expertise in finance. |
| It almost makes him sick to read the things lawmakers say; | The father is critical of politicians, indicating his belief that he could do better. |
| Why, father’s just the man they need, he never goes astray. | The speaker humorously suggests that lawmakers need someone like his father, who thinks he is always right. |
| All wars he’d very quickly end, as fast as I can write it; | Exaggeration of the father’s abilities, humorously claiming he could resolve wars effortlessly. |
| But when a neighbor starts a fuss, ’tis mother has to fight it. | Contrasts the father’s bold claims with reality, where his wife handles real conflicts. |
| In conversation father can do many wondrous things; | Emphasizes that the father talks impressively but lacks practical abilities. |
| He’s built upon a wiser plan than presidents or kings. | The speaker mocks the father’s inflated self-image, suggesting he views himself as superior to leaders. |
| He knows the ins and outs of each and every deep transaction; | The father claims a deep understanding of complex matters, enhancing his self-assured persona. |
| We look to him for theories, but look to ma for action. | The final line encapsulates the poem’s irony: the father is full of ideas, but practical action comes from the mother. |
Literary And Poetic Devices: “Father” by Edgar Albert Guest
| Literary Device | Example | Explanation |
| Alliteration | “father… furnace,” “father… fails” | The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words creates a rhythmic effect, drawing attention to the father’s supposed failures and expertise. |
| Antithesis | “He knows the way to fix the trusts, / But if the furnace needs repairs” | The contrast between the father’s grand ambitions and his practical ineptitude highlights his ironic character. |
| Assonance | “He knows no word like ‘fail.'” | The repetition of vowel sounds within words, like “know” and “no,” enhances the musicality of the line. |
| Caricature | Entire portrayal of the father | The father is exaggerated into a caricature of someone with big ideas but no practical skills, for humorous effect. |
| Characterization | “My father knows the proper way the nation should be run” | Through his actions and words, the father is characterized as opinionated and self-important, revealing much about his personality. |
| Contrast | “He knows the ins and outs of each… / But look to ma for action” | The poet contrasts the father’s theories with the mother’s practical actions, emphasizing his lack of real-world efficacy. |
| Dramatic Irony | Father is knowledgeable but helpless with practical tasks | The audience sees the humor in the father’s disconnect between his grandiose ideas and his inability to handle basic tasks. |
| End Rhyme | “run” and “done,” “plan” and “man” | Rhyme at the ends of lines adds to the sing-song quality of the poem, creating a lighthearted tone that underscores the humor. |
| Enjambment | “He knows the ins and outs of each / And every deep transaction” | The continuation of a sentence without pause beyond the end of a line creates a flowing effect, giving the father’s statements a sense of endlessness. |
| Hyperbole | “All wars he’d very quickly end” | The poet exaggerates the father’s confidence in his abilities, making his statements seem absurd and humorous. |
| Imagery | “if the furnace needs repairs, / We have to hire a man” | Visual imagery paints a picture of the father’s helplessness in everyday tasks, creating humor and relatability. |
| Irony | Father can solve national issues but can’t fix a chair | The poem’s humor arises from the irony that the father can supposedly solve complex issues but fails at simple household repairs. |
| Juxtaposition | Father’s grand ideas vs. his lack of practical skills | The poet juxtaposes the father’s lofty theories with his inability to manage basic tasks, enhancing the irony and humor. |
| Metaphor | “He’s built upon a wiser plan than presidents or kings” | The father compares himself to leaders, using this metaphor to reveal his inflated self-image, with humorous intent. |
| Narrative Voice | First-person narrator (“My father knows…”) | The narrator’s perspective is personal, offering insight into how the family perceives the father’s peculiar personality. |
| Parallelism | “He knows… / He tells us… / He knows…” | The repetition of sentence structure emphasizes the father’s constant claims and creates a rhythmic flow in the poem. |
| Personification | “He knows no word like ‘fail'” | Giving “fail” the human attribute of speech personifies it, reinforcing the father’s view of himself as infallible. |
| Repetition | “He knows” throughout the poem | The repeated phrase underscores the father’s certainty in his own opinions, making his character appear overly self-assured. |
| Satire | Exaggeration of the father’s political and social knowledge | Guest uses satire to humorously critique those who have big opinions but no practical skills, targeting armchair experts. |
| Tone | Lighthearted and humorous | The tone throughout is playful and satirical, making the poem a gentle, humorous critique rather than a harsh attack on the father’s character. |
Themes: “Father” by Edgar Albert Guest
- The Irony of Armchair Expertise: A central theme in “Father” is the irony of armchair expertise, as the father is depicted as a man brimming with opinions on national and international matters but unable to handle simple household tasks. This contrast is highlighted when the speaker says, “He knows the way to fix the trusts, / He has a simple plan; / But if the furnace needs repairs, / We have to hire a man.” The humor lies in the father’s confidence in solving complex issues, juxtaposed with his lack of practical skills, embodying the theme that talking about solutions is easier than implementing them.
- Critique of Hypocrisy: The poem gently critiques hypocrisy, as the father holds grand ideals but fails to act on them within his own home. He claims he could “land big thieves in jail” and restore public “confidence,” yet he struggles with his own bills and household issues. This theme is underscored by lines such as, “In matters of finance he can / Tell Congress what to do; / But, O, he finds it hard to meet / His bills as they fall due,” highlighting the gap between the father’s ideals and his reality.
- Reliance on Practicality over Theory: Another theme is the value of practicality over grand theories, exemplified through the contrasting roles of the mother and father. The father’s endless theories are contrasted with the mother’s actions, as the speaker remarks, “We look to him for theories, / But look to ma for action.” This theme suggests that while ideas are important, they must be balanced with practical, hands-on contributions—a role the mother fulfills.
- Family Dynamics and Respect: Despite the humor, the poem reveals a loving family dynamic in which the father is respected, albeit with some gentle mocking. The children listen to his views daily, even though they don’t expect him to resolve everyday issues. Lines like “He’s built upon a wiser plan / Than presidents or kings” show admiration, mixed with irony, as they look up to his character while recognizing his limits. This theme underscores the complex mix of respect, love, and gentle ridicule present in family relationships.
Literary Theories and “Father” by Edgar Albert Guest
| Literary Theory | Application to “Father” | References from the Poem |
| Marxist Theory | Examines social class and the father’s views on authority and public issues, highlighting the contrast between his ideals and reality. This analysis reveals a critique of the working class’s disconnect between societal ideals and domestic responsibilities. | Lines like “He knows the way to fix the trusts, / He has a simple plan; / But if the furnace needs repairs, / We have to hire a man” reflect his disconnect between lofty ideas and practical actions. |
| Psychoanalytic Theory | Analyzes the father’s inflated sense of self and ego, possibly stemming from a need for validation. His constant opinions on grand issues but inability to act within the family hints at a complex, possibly defensive personality. | The lines “There’s nothing that he cannot do, / He knows no word like ‘fail’” reflect his inflated self-esteem, indicating he might be overcompensating for his inability to handle practical tasks. |
| Feminist Theory | Highlights gender roles, with the father holding theoretical authority and the mother taking practical responsibility. The poem subtly critiques traditional male dominance by showing the father’s ineffectiveness. | “We look to him for theories, / But look to ma for action” emphasizes the mother’s practical role and critiques the father’s detached authority, underscoring a commentary on gendered responsibilities. |
Critical Questions about “Father” by Edgar Albert Guest
- What does the poem suggest about the gap between theory and practice in everyday life?
- The poem raises the question of how much value theoretical knowledge holds when it isn’t matched by practical skills. The father is depicted as someone with strong opinions on national matters but unable to handle simple household tasks, as seen in the lines, “He knows the way to fix the trusts, / He has a simple plan; / But if the furnace needs repairs, / We have to hire a man.” This contrast critiques those who offer opinions on large issues but cannot address immediate, practical needs, reflecting on the value of practical skills in daily life.
- How does the poem use humor to critique self-assured authority figures?
- The humor in “Father” comes from the father’s confident yet ironic portrayal as someone who believes he knows better than lawmakers and leaders, as shown in “In matters of finance he can / Tell Congress what to do.” However, this self-assuredness is humorous and ironic because, despite his confidence, he struggles with his own finances. Through this humor, Guest critiques individuals who assume they have all the answers, highlighting the disconnect between their confidence and actual capabilities.
- What commentary does the poem make on traditional gender roles within the family?
- The poem presents a subtle commentary on traditional gender roles, where the father is seen as the authority figure but only in theory, while the mother takes on the practical responsibilities. Lines like “We look to him for theories, / But look to ma for action” illustrate this division, suggesting a critique of the father’s lack of practical involvement. The poem questions the effectiveness of traditional male authority when it is not backed by action, hinting at the necessity of shared responsibility in a family.
- Does the poem suggest admiration or critique toward the father’s character, and how is this achieved?
- The tone of “Father” combines both admiration and critique, presenting the father as both wise and absurdly ineffectual. Lines such as “He’s built upon a wiser plan / Than presidents or kings” reveal an affectionate exaggeration of the father’s character, suggesting the children’s respect, albeit humorously. However, the consistent irony in his inability to handle practical tasks signals a gentle critique. This nuanced tone creates a complex view, where the father’s intellectual confidence is admired yet his practical ineptitude is gently mocked, questioning the nature of wisdom in the family context.
Literary Works Similar to “Father” by Edgar Albert Guest
- “Those Winter Sundays” by Robert Hayden – This poem, like “Father,” explores the father’s role in the family, contrasting love and duty with an underlying sense of unspoken appreciation and sacrifice.
- “This Be the Verse” by Philip Larkin – Similar in its ironic tone, this poem critiques family dynamics and generational flaws, reflecting the humor and bluntness seen in Guest’s portrayal of familial roles.
- “The Old Man’s Complaints and How He Gained Them” by Robert Southey – This humorous poem satirizes the quirks and complaints of aging, mirroring Guest’s use of irony to highlight the gap between self-perception and reality.
- “My Papa’s Waltz” by Theodore Roethke – Through a child’s perspective, this poem reflects on a father’s impact, blending affection with a critical, sometimes humorous, look at familial relationships.
- “Daddy” by Sylvia Plath – Though darker in tone, this poem similarly explores complex emotions toward a father figure, combining admiration with critique in a way that resonates with Guest’s mixed portrayal.
Representative Quotations of “Father” by Edgar Albert Guest
| Quotation | Context | Theoretical Perspective |
| “My father knows the proper way the nation should be run.” | The father is introduced as someone with strong opinions on national issues, portraying his confidence. | Psychoanalytic Theory – Reflects the father’s inflated ego and need for authority. |
| “He tells us children every day just what should now be done.” | The father frequently shares his opinions, showing his need to assert knowledge. | Gender Studies – Emphasizes patriarchal authority and traditional male roles. |
| “But if the furnace needs repairs, we have to hire a man.” | Despite his grand ideas, the father lacks practical skills for household tasks, creating irony. | Marxist Theory – Highlights the father’s separation between ideals and domestic labor. |
| “There’s nothing that he cannot do, he knows no word like ‘fail.’” | Exaggerates the father’s self-confidence, depicting him as almost infallible in his mind. | Psychoanalytic Theory – Shows a possible overcompensation to maintain self-worth. |
| “All public questions that arise, he settles on the spot.” | He quickly addresses societal issues with his own solutions, showing his perceived wisdom. | Structuralism – Examines how the father’s character represents common social archetypes. |
| “In matters of finance he can tell Congress what to do.” | The father believes he understands complex issues, presenting himself as more capable than officials. | Marxist Theory – Highlights class dynamics and the father’s critique of government roles. |
| “But, O, he finds it hard to meet his bills as they fall due.” | His financial struggles contrast his claims of expertise, creating humor. | Irony Theory – Emphasizes situational irony as he fails in areas he claims expertise. |
| “Why, father’s just the man they need, he never goes astray.” | The speaker sarcastically implies that lawmakers could use the father’s certainty and moral standing. | Satire Theory – Uses irony to critique misplaced confidence in personal expertise. |
| “But when a neighbor starts a fuss, ’tis mother has to fight it.” | While the father discusses big issues, the mother handles real conflicts, revealing gender roles. | Feminist Theory – Highlights traditional gender roles with the mother as the practical enforcer. |
| “We look to him for theories, but look to ma for action.” | Summarizes the ironic role division in the family, with the father for ideas and the mother for deeds. | Gender Studies – Contrasts theory and action in traditional male and female roles. |
Suggested Readings: “Father” by Edgar Albert Guest
- Andrews, Clarence. Michigan in Literature. Wayne State University Press, 1992.
- Broadcasting. Land O’Lakes Series. 13 January 1941.
- Hendrickson, Clara. “Michigan names first state poet laureate since 1950s.” Detroit Free Press. 19 August 2024. https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2024/08/19/michigan-names-first-state-poet-laureate-since-1950s/story.html
- Hyatt, Wesley. The Encyclopedia of Daytime Television. Watson-Guptill Publications, 1997.
- McKeown, Trevor W. “Edgar Albert Guest.” freemasonry.bcy.ca. 13 January 2017. http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/guest.html
- Poetry Foundation. “Edgar Albert Guest.” Poetry Foundation. 19 March 2021. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/edgar-albert-guest