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2
0
Katie
20/09/2025
English Lang.
Follower - Seamus Heaney
160
•
20 Sept 2025
•
Seamus Heaney: The Follower Poem and His Nobel Prize
Katie
@katie_alice
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.
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Stefan S
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This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
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Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Seamus Heaney: The Follower Poem and His Nobel Prize
Katie
@katie_alice
Seamus Heaney's "Follower" is a poignant reflection on the changing relationship between a father and son. The poem, written by the Nobel prize-winning poet Seamus Heaney, explores themes of admiration, growth, and role reversal. It vividly depicts traditional... Show more
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.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
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.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user