Using evidence from the poems “I run into Dad’s room,” “Behind Closed Doors,” “Text Messages from Mom, Part One,” and “At Noon, in the Gym, with Dad,” how does each poem convey important information about the boys’ dad’s health problems?
“I run into Dad’s room” portrays the father's health problems through the description of medical personnel who come to the house to tend to him. The use of phrases like “paramedics are polite” and “worried and leaving” suggests that the father's health is a cause for concern and requires immediate attention.
“Behind Closed Doors” gives further insight into the father's health problems by revealing that he is unable to work and needs assistance with mundane tasks like shaving. The line “the elevator took them to their father’s room where the insurance people left him” indicates that the father's health problems are serious enough to require hospitalization and ongoing medical care.
"Text Messages from Mom, Part One" provides information about the father's health problems through the wife's text messages. Phrases like “doctor’s appointment” and “I need to talk to you about something serious” indicate that the father's health is deteriorating and requiring medical attention.
“At Noon, in the Gym, with Dad” shows the impact of the father's health problems on the son's daily life. The son's insistence on continuing with their workout routine despite his father's physical limitations suggests that the father's health problems are a central concern for the family and have a significant impact on their everyday activities.