Trees -
- Concept of family
- Trees connote growth, health
- Development of the trees mirror the growth of children
- Welsh identity linked to nature
Stanza 1 -
- Opening line “you told me” mirrors opening of ‘The Equation’
^ direct, clear
- “Oak” - connotes durability & strength
^ average lifespan of oak trees are several hundred years, and so this family legacy will outlast
them
- “Middle” - suggests balance, however could be seen as isolation
- Instead of similar to an orchard of closely planted trees, they are all separated and far apart,
suggesting distance within the family
Stanza 2 -
- “You nod your head” - non-verbal communication
^ creates contrast between Sheers, a poet, and his father who prefers non-verbal
communication
^ suggests a lack of connection, though presents a sense of wisdom
Stanza 3 -
- “Realise I should have known” - clarifies this is what he expects of his father
^ suggests recognition of his father’s death
- Sheers expresses little emotion, communicating the distance in their relationship
Stanza 4 -
- “You planted trees for our arrivals” - his father planted trees for him and his siblings to mark
their births
^ act of unity, however there is a sense of distance
- “North, south and west” - map-like features links to ‘Inheritance’
- Concept of family
- Trees connote growth, health
- Development of the trees mirror the growth of children
- Welsh identity linked to nature
Stanza 1 -
- Opening line “you told me” mirrors opening of ‘The Equation’
^ direct, clear
- “Oak” - connotes durability & strength
^ average lifespan of oak trees are several hundred years, and so this family legacy will outlast
them
- “Middle” - suggests balance, however could be seen as isolation
- Instead of similar to an orchard of closely planted trees, they are all separated and far apart,
suggesting distance within the family
Stanza 2 -
- “You nod your head” - non-verbal communication
^ creates contrast between Sheers, a poet, and his father who prefers non-verbal
communication
^ suggests a lack of connection, though presents a sense of wisdom
Stanza 3 -
- “Realise I should have known” - clarifies this is what he expects of his father
^ suggests recognition of his father’s death
- Sheers expresses little emotion, communicating the distance in their relationship
Stanza 4 -
- “You planted trees for our arrivals” - his father planted trees for him and his siblings to mark
their births
^ act of unity, however there is a sense of distance
- “North, south and west” - map-like features links to ‘Inheritance’
