In “The Exercise,” Bernard MacLaverty contrasts two ideas of fatherhood—one that is loving and one that is cold and strict. The lines that best reflect the theme of the strict father figure are the following:
"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."
I hope it helps, Regards.