Page 2: Analysis of "Follower"

This page presents the full text of Seamus Heaney's poem "Follower" along with a detailed analysis of its structure, language, and themes. The poem is composed of six quatrains, each contributing to the overall narrative of the changing father-son relationship.

The first quatrain introduces the father figure, describing him working with a horse-plough. Heaney uses vivid imagery to portray his father's strength and skill:

Quote: "My father worked with a horse-plough, / His shoulders globed like a full sail strung / Between the shafts and the furrow."

This powerful imagery establishes the father as a figure of admiration and expertise in the traditional farming methods that feature prominently in Seamus Heaney's poetry.

The subsequent quatrains detail the father's proficiency in ploughing, emphasizing his precision and control:

Example: "An expert. He would set the wing / And fit the bright steel-pointed sock. / The sod rolled over without breaking."

The poem then shifts focus to the young Heaney, who struggles to keep up with his father:

Quote: "I stumbled in his hob-nailed wake, / Fell sometimes on the polished sod;"

This contrast between the father's expertise and the son's clumsiness highlights the theme of admiration and the desire to emulate one's parent.

The final quatrain presents a poignant role reversal:

Quote: "But today / It is my father who keeps stumbling / Behind me, and will not go away."

This powerful conclusion illustrates the cyclical nature of life and the changing dynamics between generations.

Highlight: The poem's structure and language choices effectively convey the evolution of the father-son relationship, from the son's initial admiration and desire to emulate his father, to the eventual role reversal in later life.

Throughout the poem, Heaney employs various literary devices such as metaphors, juxtaposition, and vivid imagery to create a rich, multi-layered Seamus Heaney Follower poem analysis. These techniques not only bring the farming scenes to life but also serve to deepen the emotional resonance of the changing relationship between father and son.

Page 1: Introduction to Seamus Heaney and "Follower"

This page provides an introduction to Seamus Heaney and sets the context for the poem "Follower". Heaney, a Nobel prize-winning poet from 1995, was recognized for his works of lyrical beauty and ethical depth. Born in County Derry, Northern Ireland, Heaney's background in farming significantly influenced his poetry.

The page also introduces key vocabulary related to traditional farming methods, which are essential for understanding the poem. These terms help readers visualize the setting and actions described in "Follower".

Vocabulary: Horse plough - an old-fashioned way of ploughing; Sod - a piece of soil; Headrig - turning place for a plough; Shafts - wooden handles for steering; Furrow - long hole made by the plough; Hob-nailed boot - boots with nailed-on soles.

The poem "Follower" explores the changing relationship between a father and son over time. It describes how the writer's father used a traditional walking plough, drawn by two horses, to cultivate their family farm. This setting serves as a backdrop for examining the evolving dynamics between parent and child.

Highlight: The poem tracks the way the relationship between parents and children changes over time, using the metaphor of farming and following.