The poets of Harmonium and Nettles have explored a father and son relationship. The poem Nettles describes a positive father and son relationship; the father avenges the son’s pain, inflicted by nettles, by slashing them;” blisters beaded on his tender skin… went outside and slashed with fury”. The word “fury” suggests the father is not satisfied by what they have done and portrays ideas about their relationship; the father is protective and caring over his son. In comparison, the presentation of the father and son relationship in “Harmonium” is not as direct, which highlights the theme of hidden emotions. Throughout the poem, Armitage presents the father as joyful and characteristic, contrasting the reserved portrayal of the son. This relationship is different to “Nettles” as the emotions are present in both, yet Scannel suggests that the father is more willing to express his feelings. The hidden emotions are further highlighted by Armitage’s use of “too starved of breath to make itself heard.” This phrase could imply that his lack of confidence in expressing his feelings is so extreme that he
cannot voice his opinions to a member of his family. This contrasts to Scannel’s use of “slashing” as he presents the father as a character directly expressing his fury.