Using the advice earlier in the chapter on Finding the Theme, ...

[Jkov05]

Using the advice earlier in the chapter on Finding the Theme, howwould you state the theme of this story in one sentence?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

What position does the younger son expect when he returns to his fathershouse? What does the father give him?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

[akpaschal]

Answer to Question 1

• You might say something along the lines of Dreams dont always come true the way we want them to; sometimes they dont come true at all or perhaps Children often understand much more than we think they do.

Answer to Question 2

• Upon his return, the younger sons greatest hope is that his father will deign to give him a job as a servant, but his father exceeds all his expectations.

It is essential to remember that this younger son had never experienced hunger under his fathers roof. The parable does not reveal what motivates him to ask for his inheritance prematurely, but the request would have been considered a sign of the greatest disrespect a son could give to his father; it would be like a son wishing his father were dead. Still, it seems that his father gives it over with little debate. As soon as the younger son squanders the inheritance, he began to be in want because there arose a mighty famine in that land. It is so bad that the only available food is the leftovers from the pigsunclean animals in the Jewish traditionthat it is his job to tend. Only then does his epiphany come: when he came to himself. Knowing that the servants are never hungry at his fathers house, the younger sons first motive to return is merely to fill his stomach. Whether or not his rehearsed words are sincere Father I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son; make me as one of thy hired servantsmay be in question. The father, however, accepts his contrition and welcomes him back into the family.