"Cats in the Cradle" as written by and Harry Chapin
My child arrived just the other day
He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch, and bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away
And he was talking 'fore I knew it, and as he grew
He'd say, "I'm gonna be like you, dad
You know I'm gonna be like you"
[Chorus:]
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
"When you coming home, dad?" "I don't know when
But we'll get together then
You know we'll have a good time then"
My son turned ten just the other day
He said, "Thanks for the ball, dad, come on let's play
Can you teach me to throw?" I said, "Not today,
I got a lot to do." He said, "That's ok"
And he walked away, but his smile never dimmed
Said, "I'm gonna be like him, yeah
You know I'm gonna be like him"
[Chorus:]
Well, he came from college just the other day
So much like a man I just had to say
"Son, I'm proud of you. Can you sit for a while?"
He shook his head, and he said with a smile
"What I'd really like, dad, is to borrow the car keys
See you later. Can I have them please?"
[Chorus:]
I've long since retired and my son's moved away
I called him up just the other day
I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind"
He said, "I'd love to, dad, if I could find the time
You see, my new job's a hassle, and the kid's got the flu
But it's sure nice talking to you, dad
It's been sure nice talking to you"
And as I hung up the phone, it occurred to me
He'd grown up just like me
My boy was just like me
[Chorus
A Strained Father and Son Relationship
Baba and Amir are a father and son with two distinct personalities. Baba is the type of person who is willing to risk his reputation and personal safety to do what is just and right. Amir struggles with doing the right thing and his father knows this. Baba is disappointed in his son, Amir picks up on this, although the tension between the two is unspoken. Similarly, Cat Stevens’ song, “Cat in the Cradle” is about a father and son who grow apart and due to not understanding one another they feel distanced and strained from one another.
To illustrate the strain between the father and son we have the example when Baba and Amir are on the back of the truck being transported on their way out of Afghanistan. There is a woman with a baby and her husband and a soldier shows intent to attack her when Baba confronts the soldier and speaks up against the soldier. Baba’s actions are just what is needed to buy some time for this woman and as a result Baba’s actions thwart the intention of the soldier when a supervisor comes in a tells the soldier to stop and Baba’s actions saved the woman. Yet, when Baba takes the risk Amir begs him to stop—this infuriated Baba that his son did not have what it takes to “Take a Stand” and be courageous.
Furthermore, Amir struggles with ethical behavior when he fails to stand up for Sohrab and lies to his father. Ironically, although Baba is supposedly “perfect”, he is also holding a secret which is equally sinful, by not being truthful and just to his other son, Sohrab. A twisted tale ensues with the reader going along on a journey from Afghanistan to America with a father and son deeply rooted in shame and deceit.
My child arrived just the other day
He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch, and bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away
And he was talking 'fore I knew it, and as he grew
He'd say, "I'm gonna be like you, dad
You know I'm gonna be like you"
[Chorus:]
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
"When you coming home, dad?" "I don't know when
But we'll get together then
You know we'll have a good time then"
My son turned ten just the other day
He said, "Thanks for the ball, dad, come on let's play
Can you teach me to throw?" I said, "Not today,
I got a lot to do." He said, "That's ok"
And he walked away, but his smile never dimmed
Said, "I'm gonna be like him, yeah
You know I'm gonna be like him"
[Chorus:]
Well, he came from college just the other day
So much like a man I just had to say
"Son, I'm proud of you. Can you sit for a while?"
He shook his head, and he said with a smile
"What I'd really like, dad, is to borrow the car keys
See you later. Can I have them please?"
[Chorus:]
I've long since retired and my son's moved away
I called him up just the other day
I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind"
He said, "I'd love to, dad, if I could find the time
You see, my new job's a hassle, and the kid's got the flu
But it's sure nice talking to you, dad
It's been sure nice talking to you"
And as I hung up the phone, it occurred to me
He'd grown up just like me
My boy was just like me
[Chorus
A Strained Father and Son Relationship
Baba and Amir are a father and son with two distinct personalities. Baba is the type of person who is willing to risk his reputation and personal safety to do what is just and right. Amir struggles with doing the right thing and his father knows this. Baba is disappointed in his son, Amir picks up on this, although the tension between the two is unspoken. Similarly, Cat Stevens’ song, “Cat in the Cradle” is about a father and son who grow apart and due to not understanding one another they feel distanced and strained from one another.
To illustrate the strain between the father and son we have the example when Baba and Amir are on the back of the truck being transported on their way out of Afghanistan. There is a woman with a baby and her husband and a soldier shows intent to attack her when Baba confronts the soldier and speaks up against the soldier. Baba’s actions are just what is needed to buy some time for this woman and as a result Baba’s actions thwart the intention of the soldier when a supervisor comes in a tells the soldier to stop and Baba’s actions saved the woman. Yet, when Baba takes the risk Amir begs him to stop—this infuriated Baba that his son did not have what it takes to “Take a Stand” and be courageous.
Furthermore, Amir struggles with ethical behavior when he fails to stand up for Sohrab and lies to his father. Ironically, although Baba is supposedly “perfect”, he is also holding a secret which is equally sinful, by not being truthful and just to his other son, Sohrab. A twisted tale ensues with the reader going along on a journey from Afghanistan to America with a father and son deeply rooted in shame and deceit.