Podcast
Questions and Answers
What motivated the aged couple to pray for a child?
What motivated the aged couple to pray for a child?
- They were firm believers in the power of the Cross. (correct)
- They desired financial security in their old age.
- They wanted someone to take care of them.
- They wanted a son to carry on their family name.
How did the couple's attitude towards their son contribute to his behavior?
How did the couple's attitude towards their son contribute to his behavior?
- They ignored him, leading to his loneliness.
- They limited his education, resulting in ignorance.
- They were strict, which made him rebellious.
- They showed unconditional love, making him spoiled. (correct)
What did the boy do when he discovered his parents had eaten dinner without him?
What did the boy do when he discovered his parents had eaten dinner without him?
- He cooked his own meal and ate.
- He expressed gratitude for their kindness.
- He became angry and attacked a pillow. (correct)
- He left the house without saying a word.
After leaving home, what achievements did the boy accomplish?
After leaving home, what achievements did the boy accomplish?
What did the beggar reveal about his past circumstances?
What did the beggar reveal about his past circumstances?
What task did the young man give to the beggar?
What task did the young man give to the beggar?
How did the beggar feel about his ability to work for the young man?
How did the beggar feel about his ability to work for the young man?
What realization did the young man have towards the end of the story?
What realization did the young man have towards the end of the story?
What action did the boy and his parents take together at the end of the story?
What action did the boy and his parents take together at the end of the story?
What lesson does the story convey about parental love and forgiveness?
What lesson does the story convey about parental love and forgiveness?
Study Notes
Overview of the Story
- An elderly couple desperately desires a child and prays to God for a son, vowing to cherish him.
- Their prayers are answered when the woman gives birth to a handsome yet spoiled boy.
Parental Sacrifice and Spoiling
- The couple, despite their poverty, indulges the son with gifts and an education.
- They prioritize their son so much that they refuse to eat until he arrives home from school.
Conflict and Consequences
- One night the boy is late returning home; the couple, hungry, eats without waiting.
- The mother fabricates an excuse about not preparing dinner, leading to the boy's anger.
Act of Violence
- The boy, unable to comprehend sacrifice, attacks a pillow with a bolo, mistakenly believing his father was lying on it.
- The pillow bleeding symbolizes his guilt; filled with fear, he flees and never returns home.
Changes Over Time
- The couple continues to pray for their son's forgiveness and well-being after his departure.
- The boy, now alone, travels and grows wise, respected, and wealthy, eventually owning a large orchard.
Encounter with the Past
- The boy sees a beggar at his estate who resembles his father but does not immediately acknowledge the connection.
- The beggar seeks help due to a famine and offers to work in gratitude, showing humility and a willingness to contribute.
Themes and Character Development
- Sacrifice, the consequences of indulgence, and the concept of redemption are central themes.
- The boy undergoes significant development, transitioning from a spoiled child to a successful, wise man who still grapples with his past actions.
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Description
Test your understanding of 'The Favorite Son', a story about an aged couple who longed for a child and received a son who was both adored and spoiled. Explore themes of parental love, sacrifice, and the consequences of indulgence. This quiz will check your knowledge of the plot and character dynamics.
