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The Father-Thing — Syllabus

ICSE · Class 12 · English- Short Stories : Perspectives and Reflections

What The Father-Thing covers in ICSE Class 12 English- Short Stories : Perspectives and Reflections: 4 topics, for the 2026-27 session.

45 questions30 flashcards5 concepts

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4 Topics · ICSE Class 12 English- Short Stories : Perspectives and Reflections · 2026-27

Topics in The Father-Thing

1

Plot Overview

  • Charles notices that Ted Walton is behaving strangely and that there seems to be more than one version of his father.
  • He later finds the dry, empty remains of his real father in the garage trash barrel.
  • With Tony Peretti’s help, Charles investigates the house and yard to find the outside controller.
2

Characters and Their Roles

  • Charles Walton is an eight-year-old protagonist who senses danger before the adults do.
  • Ted Walton is Charles’s real father, whose actual remains are found in the garage trash barrel.
  • The father-thing looks and speaks like Ted Walton but is a soulless duplicate controlled from outside.
3

Themes

  • Identity is unstable in the story because a familiar person can be replaced by something fake.
  • Trust breaks down inside the family home, which should normally be a safe place.
  • The story creates fear through hidden danger and the idea that something secret is controlling events.
4

Important Scene Progression

  • Mrs. Walton calls Charles and Ted to dinner.
  • Charles notices something strange about Ted and becomes alarmed.
  • He sees the remains of his real father in the garage trash barrel.

Key Concepts

Central concept: Paranoia, identity, and hidden control in The Father-Thing

Science fiction short storyPsychological horrorCharles WaltonTed Walton and the father-thingJune WaltonTony PerettiBobby DanielsThe bug

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the important topics in The Father-Thing for ICSE Class 12 English- Short Stories : Perspectives and Reflections?
Key topics in The Father-Thing include Plot Overview, Characters and Their Roles, Themes, Important Scene Progression. Study these first, then practise questions on each for the ICSE Class 12 board exam.
How should I revise The Father-Thing for the ICSE Class 12 board exam?
Learn the core ideas first, then work through the 45 practice questions on The Father-Thing. Revise definitions regularly and use flashcards for quick recall before the exam.

Sources & Official References

Content is aligned to the official syllabus. Refer to the board website for the latest curriculum.

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All ICSE Class 12 English- Short Stories : Perspectives and Reflections Syllabus

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