The young man questions Father William's strange actions and habits, such as eating oysters, running after a bear, and standing on his head. Father William replies with nonchalant and witty explanations, often using absurdist logic.
The poem highlights the absurdity of the young man's questions and the elderly Father William's playful responses, ultimately showing the humorous gap in understanding between different generations. It also touches on themes of age and the acceptance of the unexpected.