In the first stanza, the boy had a tantrum, "splashing" his "bare feet" around a puddle. The father doesn't approve of this, and "struck(s)" a "quick slap" across his son's face. However, the father refuses to show any signs "of guilt or sorrow" for what he has done. The father is regretful but thinks it is more important for his son's development that he remains staunch. The boy is waiting for his father to …showed first 75 words of 345 total…

…showed last 75 words of 345 total…more powerful than judging to the letter of the law. The use of contrast, such as the boy's slack behaviour and his father's firmness, helps add depth to the relationship between the boy and the parent. Other examples of contrast include the boy's diminutive nature and powerful influence over his father, the vulnerability of his character and cunning, evil and shrewd mind. It is incredible to understand that this three year old possesses such qualities.