2. What can we infer about Augustine as a father from what he tells us about his son in this book?
Although Augustine is shamed by the circumstances under which Adeodatus was born, he still shows immense love toward his child and vast grief at his death. In Book IX, Augustine must not only cope with the death of his son, but also his mother. Augustine's relationship with his son was filled with respect and companionship. He describes his own spiritual maturity being at a similar level with that of his son's. They were both baptised together and had very similar timing in their spiritual growth. The parallel nature of their lives comes to a disruptive stop at Adeodatus's untimely death, and Augustine loses not only his son, but also a spiritual companion.
Yes, I do find Augustine's commentary on his son beautifully moving. Although, as you point out, he fully recognizes the sinful nature of the relationship that gave rise to his son's birth, there is never any shame or disgust associated with the child himself. From the first moment he is indirectly mentioned in the narrative, Augustine articulates the love he feels for his child. One can certainly infer from the narrative that Augustine provides for his son's physical needs, and indeed it seems his spiritual needs also. Their level of companionship is strong, and indeed Augustine's working on Teaching is reported to be a transcription of the dialogues he had with Adeodatus, his son. There is a sense of sadness, however, regarding the mother of the Adeodatus, whose specter breaks through the narrative from time to time. Again one can only speculate why Augustine does not directly mention her by name or reveal her fate to his audience.
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