A father’s attitude toward his children would affect the outcome of the children in the future. Therefore, a father has a very important role to play toward his children. To make a child a better future, a father always thinks of how to make the child learn more things. Fathers always give opinions and suggestions to their children about life, the future, and ways of being in society. Also, fathers tell their children what to do and not do. I’m going to talk about the similarities and differences between two poems with the subjects of fathers. The two poems are "A Gather Sees His Son Nearing Manhood" by Carl Sandburg and "First Lesson" by Phyllis McGinley.

There are several similarities and differences between the two poems. Both of the poems are using metaphor to expresses the author’s opinions. Both of the poems talk about fathers whom very care very much about their children. In addition, both of the poems have the characteristics of the father’s feeling toward their children. In these two poems, there are also differences. The poem by Sandburg characterizes the father’s opinions and feelings about his son, but the poem by McGinley characterizes the daughter’s feelings and opinions about her father. The poem by Sandburg uses alliterations, but McGinley did not use and alliteration in her poem. In addition, the poem by Sandburg mentioned about the famous males in history that the father wants his son to understand, but the poem by McGinley did not mention any famous females. There are the similarities and differences between the two poems.

In these two poems, the use of specific literary elements helps me to convey each author’s view. Phyllis McGinley uses the metaphor "They are dragon-seeker, bent on improbable rescues". This helps me convey that the author feels that fathers were often overprotective of their daughter. Also, McGinley uses figurative language in line 15 "Men are the worriers". This help me convey that she feel her father is too worries about her. In the poem by Sandburg, he uses alliteration "Life is hard; be steel; be a rock; and this might stand him for the storms". This helps me understand that he wants his son to be strong even though there are problems in life. Also, he uses the metaphor "The growth of a frail flower in a path up has sometimes shattered and split a rock". This helps me convey that he wants his son sometimes to use peaceful methods instead of violence.

By reading these two poems, I have learned what are the feeling of a daughter toward her father and the feeling of a father toward a son. I think I would five some of the same opinions in the poem to me son. In addition, I unlike the father in McGinley’s poem, I think I would not be overprotective of my daughter after I read the two poems.