"The Boy Comes Home" by A. A. Milne

 

“The Boy’s Come Home” is a light comic story written by Alan Alexander Milne. It is story of Phillip. He is 23 year old young man, who has recently returned from 4 years of war. He lives with his uncle James and aunt Emily. His uncle has very strict rules in house and has very authoritative nature. Phillip on the other hand has changed while being far away in war zone for 4 years. Military has changed his personality. He is no longer a boy who will take orders from his uncle. We can see this change when in the morning he deals with cook Mrs. Higgins as she threatens to leave the job if asked for breakfast at 10 o’clock. Phillip deals with her by giving her payment cheque and ask her to leave. She immediately agrees to make breakfast for Phillip.

Uncle James wants Phillip to join his jam business. Aunt Emily warns uncle James that how Phillip is no longer a boy and a changed man. Uncle James wait for Phillip and then they both talk about business where Phillip disagree and when uncle James try to use his power or purse Phillip tale out revolver and bomb. Uncle James agrees to what let Phillip take his own decision. Phillip left and enter again uncle James and Phillip has same conversation again. Phillip agrees to join jam business. Readers are along with uncle James left wondering if first talking encounter was a dream or reality. 

This story talks about the generation gap. How older generation always thinks that younger generation is not able to make their decisions and they don’t know what is good for them. It also talks about how situations shapes personality. Phillip was away for 4 years at war zone. May be Phillip before was a boy who used to obey everything his uncle told him to. After coming from war he has learned about himself and how to take charge of the situation. It also talks about education. Phillip is now 23 year old, that means he went away for war when he was 19 years old. At that age he must have to drop his education and after coming back from war as uncle James suggested its too late to pursue career and learning about it. It shows how war has affected younger generation’s future. 

Thank you.