n "The Exercise," Bernard MacLaverty contrasts two ideas of fatherhood - one that is loving and one that is cold and strict. Which two lines reflect the theme of the strict father figure? “You could have made a better job of it yourself. Other hand.” The same ritual of raising and lowering the left hand with the tip of the cane to the desired height. “After all, I have taught you some Latin.” Crack. “It would be hard to do any worse.” Kevin went back to his place resisting a desire to hug his hands under his armpits and stumbled on a schoolbag jutting into the aisle as he pushed into his desk. Again Waldo looked round the class and said, “Now we’ll have it right from someone.” The class continued and Kevin nursed his fingers, out of the fray. As the bell rang Waldo gathered up his books and said, “Sweeny, I want a word with you outside. Ave Maria, gratia plena . . .” It was not until the end of the corridor that Waldo turned to face him. He looked at Kevin and maintained his silence for a moment. “Sweeny, I must apologise to you.” Kevin bowed his head. “I meant your father no harm – he’s probably a good man, a very good man.” “Yes, sir,” said Kevin. The pain in his fingers had gone. “Look at me when I’m talking, please.” Kevin looked at his collar, his Adam’s apple, then his face. It relaxed for a fraction and Kevin thought he was almost going to smile, but he became efficient, abrupt again..

1- "Kevin went back to his place resisting a desire to hug his hands under his armpits and stumbled on a schoolbag jutting into the aisle as he pushed into his desk."

Comments: it shows that Kevin resists his desire to try to ease the pain, since Waldo, the strict father figure, would certainly not approve of that. He would probably tell Kevin off for doing so, and maybe even beat him with the cane once more. Kevin is afraid of what Waldo represents, and he decides not to take any chances. By trying to ease the pain, Kevin would be standing up for himself, in a way, something strict father figures don't take lightly.

2- "It relaxed for a fraction and Kevin thought he was almost going to smile, but he became efficient, abrupt again.."

Comments: It shows how ambiguous Kevin's feelings were. He was supposed to be mad at Waldo, but he was expecting the man to smile, which he didn't. Waldo is certainly a strict father figure to Kevin, since Kevin expects some kind of affection from him, which never comes. All that is given is abruptness and silence.

Throughout the text, there are examples of strict behavior by Waldo. However, the two lines that reflect how Kevin sees him, that is, what he represents (the "figure" he is) to Kevin are the ones above.