Inspired by: Farther - Week 1

The book titled FArTHER by Grahame Baker-Smith cleverly manipulates typography to draw attention to the themes of fatherhood and distance. The mixed use of upper and lower case letters in the title prompts readers to consider the connection between the words 'father' and 'farther', suggesting a narrative that explores the relationship between a father and his aspirations or the physical and emotional distances that may exist within family dynamics. Early discussions around the title encourage readers to delve into the possible interpretations of 'farther', such as going beyond, being more remote, or further in some sense, setting the stage for a story that might tackle themes of ambition, separation, or longing. The initial atmosphere of the book is crafted through the author's choice of language, with phrases such as 'tired, distant eyes' and 'the feathers of a thousand hopeful wings', which evoke a sense of weariness juxtaposed with a yearning for something greater. These early impressions invite readers to speculate about the father's character and the nature of his silence.

In a related activity, the narrative of FArTHER is explored further by examining the father's intermittent daydreams of flight, which could symbolize his desires for freedom or transformation. The contrast between the father's moments of introspection and the joyful times spent with his son on the beach is highlighted through the book's illustrations and text. Students are prompted to observe the differences in the visuals and the atmosphere they create, and then to write a short narrative that captures the shifting emotions of both father and son, emphasizing the change in dynamics from the perspective of each character. The use of modal verbs in the text, such as 'would', is also examined to understand how they convey different degrees of possibility and how the word 'until' alters the narrative's tone. The activities culminate in drawing parallels with the Greek myth of Daedalus and Icarus, inviting readers to compare the father-son relationships and the motif of flying, thereby enriching their understanding of the story's themes and its allusions to classical mythology.