HOW DOES POETS PRESENT PARENTAL LOVE IN
CLIMBING MY GRANDFATHER AND FOLLOWER
Both poets show the strength familial love and how it is not affected by
differences in lifestyle of generation. In Climbing My Grandfather, this is
evident when it states “I decided to do it free without a rope or net” which
implies that speaker is confident and does not need support despite there
being a sense of danger. As the mountain could be used as an extended
metaphor to the grandfather, it could hint that the speaker feels that he is
familiar and comfortable with grandfather and trust that he will save him
if he falls. Furthermore, speaker describes his grandfather as “The skin of
his fingers is smooth and thick like warm ice”. The simile “like warm ice”
is an oxymoron as “ice” connotes hard and roughness whilst “warm”
juxtaposes this and connotes kindness. It could imply that speaker
perception of father is changing after climbing the mountain which is a
metaphor to getting to know his grandfather. It could be argued that
Waterhouse wanted to encourage readers to learn more about their elders
as it may change their view and help them appreciate and respect elders.
Similarly, In Follower, Seamus Heaney shows how parental love is not
affected by difference in lifestyle. This is evident when it states that he
“stumbled in his hob nailed wake”. The verb “stumbled” implies that he
requires help and support from his dad and that he is not as skilful as his
dad. He further states that he would “fell sometimes on the polished sod”
which shows his inadequacy. The verb “fell” contrast with “polished”
adjective used to describe father’s work which shows how he lacked the
skills. This is further emphasised by the lack of full rhyme in the last
stanza “plough” and “follow” which implies that the son has not fulfilled
his desire to follow father. This could be true as Heaney became a poet
instead of following his family tradition and becoming a farmer like his
father. Although there is a clear difference in skill between speaker and
father, the father unconditionally loves him which is evident when it states
“sometimes he rode me on his back/ Dipping and rising to the plod” which
implies that there was a good relationship between father and son and his
father was patient. The half rhyme of “wake” and “back” reflects how poet
is unable to match perfection of full rhymed father, whilst the steady
rhythm symbolises the steady relationship. Perhaps, Seamus Heaney
wanted to teach readers that paternal love never ends and is always
strong and consistent.
Both poets show a tone of admiration when referring to the subject of
their relationship. this is evident when it states, “I discover the glassy
ridge of a scar”. The adjective “glassy” creates an image of something
smooth and clear but is fragile which could imply the transparency and
,vulnerability of grandfather’s past. The “scar” could symbolise
grandfather’s experiences and wounds both physical and emotional which
shows how he is resilient and has endured hardship. Perhaps, Waterhouse
wanted to teach readers of the significance of understanding and
empathising with others as speaker gains a deeper appreciation of
grandfather after learning about his struggles and resilience. He may have
also wanted to reveal how the legacy of a loved one can have lasting
impacts. Similarly, in Follower, the speaker admires his father’s work in
the farms and describes his father as “his shoulders globed like a full sail
strung”. The verb “globed” shows how the father is strong and muscular.
By using simile of a sail of a boat, it emphasises the power and endurance
of the father and shows how the speaker admires his farming work. The
sibilance of “shoulders” and “sail” suggest that father works very
smoothly and deliberately which shows how speaker idolises his work in
the farm. The father is also described as an “expert” which implies that he
is skilled at his work and has experience. The caesura emphasises his skill
and implies that this is a confident statement for the speaker and he does
not believe that is can be doubted. Perhaps, Heaney wrote this poem to
celebrate the life of his father and to appreciate his work
, HOW DOES POETS PRESENT ROMANTIC LOVE IN LOVES
PHILOSPHY AND SONNET 29
Both poets use vivid natural imagery to express their romantic views. In
Loves Philosophy, Shelley uses natural imagery to persuade his lover in an
unrequited relationship that it is natural for them to be together. As
Shelley was part of the romantic movement, he would use imagery of
freedom in nature to express his radical views that love and desire was
natural and should be unconstrained by strict rules in society. This is
evident when it states, “And the mountains kiss high Heavan/ And the
waves clasp one another”. By using physical and passionate verbs “kiss”
and “clasp”, it could suggest that speaker is frustrated that he cannot be
physically together with his subject as their relationship is unrequited.
Additionally, the speaker states, “And the sunlight clasps the Earth/ And
the moonbeams kiss the sea” The repetition of the physical verbs “kiss”
and “clasp” emphasises his need to be with her. "Sunlight” and
“moonbeams” are antitheses it indicates the overwhelming nature of
speaker’s desire as he is passionate both night and day. The repetition of
“and” highlights how many examples that he can show are united in
nature which he may have used to persuade the subject to be together
with him. Similarly, in Sonnet 29, Elizabeth Barret Browning uses natural
imagery to express how strong her love is. This is evident when it states,
“I think of thee! -my thoughts do twine and bud” Direct address creates a
personal intimacy and could imply that the thoughts are only about him.
CLIMBING MY GRANDFATHER AND FOLLOWER
Both poets show the strength familial love and how it is not affected by
differences in lifestyle of generation. In Climbing My Grandfather, this is
evident when it states “I decided to do it free without a rope or net” which
implies that speaker is confident and does not need support despite there
being a sense of danger. As the mountain could be used as an extended
metaphor to the grandfather, it could hint that the speaker feels that he is
familiar and comfortable with grandfather and trust that he will save him
if he falls. Furthermore, speaker describes his grandfather as “The skin of
his fingers is smooth and thick like warm ice”. The simile “like warm ice”
is an oxymoron as “ice” connotes hard and roughness whilst “warm”
juxtaposes this and connotes kindness. It could imply that speaker
perception of father is changing after climbing the mountain which is a
metaphor to getting to know his grandfather. It could be argued that
Waterhouse wanted to encourage readers to learn more about their elders
as it may change their view and help them appreciate and respect elders.
Similarly, In Follower, Seamus Heaney shows how parental love is not
affected by difference in lifestyle. This is evident when it states that he
“stumbled in his hob nailed wake”. The verb “stumbled” implies that he
requires help and support from his dad and that he is not as skilful as his
dad. He further states that he would “fell sometimes on the polished sod”
which shows his inadequacy. The verb “fell” contrast with “polished”
adjective used to describe father’s work which shows how he lacked the
skills. This is further emphasised by the lack of full rhyme in the last
stanza “plough” and “follow” which implies that the son has not fulfilled
his desire to follow father. This could be true as Heaney became a poet
instead of following his family tradition and becoming a farmer like his
father. Although there is a clear difference in skill between speaker and
father, the father unconditionally loves him which is evident when it states
“sometimes he rode me on his back/ Dipping and rising to the plod” which
implies that there was a good relationship between father and son and his
father was patient. The half rhyme of “wake” and “back” reflects how poet
is unable to match perfection of full rhymed father, whilst the steady
rhythm symbolises the steady relationship. Perhaps, Seamus Heaney
wanted to teach readers that paternal love never ends and is always
strong and consistent.
Both poets show a tone of admiration when referring to the subject of
their relationship. this is evident when it states, “I discover the glassy
ridge of a scar”. The adjective “glassy” creates an image of something
smooth and clear but is fragile which could imply the transparency and
,vulnerability of grandfather’s past. The “scar” could symbolise
grandfather’s experiences and wounds both physical and emotional which
shows how he is resilient and has endured hardship. Perhaps, Waterhouse
wanted to teach readers of the significance of understanding and
empathising with others as speaker gains a deeper appreciation of
grandfather after learning about his struggles and resilience. He may have
also wanted to reveal how the legacy of a loved one can have lasting
impacts. Similarly, in Follower, the speaker admires his father’s work in
the farms and describes his father as “his shoulders globed like a full sail
strung”. The verb “globed” shows how the father is strong and muscular.
By using simile of a sail of a boat, it emphasises the power and endurance
of the father and shows how the speaker admires his farming work. The
sibilance of “shoulders” and “sail” suggest that father works very
smoothly and deliberately which shows how speaker idolises his work in
the farm. The father is also described as an “expert” which implies that he
is skilled at his work and has experience. The caesura emphasises his skill
and implies that this is a confident statement for the speaker and he does
not believe that is can be doubted. Perhaps, Heaney wrote this poem to
celebrate the life of his father and to appreciate his work
, HOW DOES POETS PRESENT ROMANTIC LOVE IN LOVES
PHILOSPHY AND SONNET 29
Both poets use vivid natural imagery to express their romantic views. In
Loves Philosophy, Shelley uses natural imagery to persuade his lover in an
unrequited relationship that it is natural for them to be together. As
Shelley was part of the romantic movement, he would use imagery of
freedom in nature to express his radical views that love and desire was
natural and should be unconstrained by strict rules in society. This is
evident when it states, “And the mountains kiss high Heavan/ And the
waves clasp one another”. By using physical and passionate verbs “kiss”
and “clasp”, it could suggest that speaker is frustrated that he cannot be
physically together with his subject as their relationship is unrequited.
Additionally, the speaker states, “And the sunlight clasps the Earth/ And
the moonbeams kiss the sea” The repetition of the physical verbs “kiss”
and “clasp” emphasises his need to be with her. "Sunlight” and
“moonbeams” are antitheses it indicates the overwhelming nature of
speaker’s desire as he is passionate both night and day. The repetition of
“and” highlights how many examples that he can show are united in
nature which he may have used to persuade the subject to be together
with him. Similarly, in Sonnet 29, Elizabeth Barret Browning uses natural
imagery to express how strong her love is. This is evident when it states,
“I think of thee! -my thoughts do twine and bud” Direct address creates a
personal intimacy and could imply that the thoughts are only about him.
