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jana carney
02/12/2025
English Literature
Climbing My Grandfather Notes: Love and Relationships
524
•
2 Dec 2025
•
Climbing My Grandfather Analysis: Love and Relationships
jana carney
@jana_carney
1 / 3
The Big Picture: A Poem About Family and Respect
This might sound mad, but imagine your grandfather as a mountain that you're climbing. That's exactly what Waterhouse does with his extended metaphor - comparing his grandad to a mountain throughout the entire poem. It's not really about rock climbing; it's about getting to know and understand an older family member.
The poem works on two levels simultaneously. On one hand, you've got all the climbing vocabulary and imagery. On the other, you've got the deeper meaning about the relationship between grandson and grandfather. The key is looking past the mountain climbing stuff to see what it reveals about these two people.
What makes this relationship special is the positive ending - "his good heart". Waterhouse deliberately finishes with this warm image to show us this is a loving, respectful relationship, not a complicated or difficult one.
Quick Tip: When you see an extended metaphor like this, always ask yourself: what qualities does the comparison object (mountain) have that relate to the real subject (grandfather)?
Structure: One Big Mountain of Text
The poem's layout is dead clever - it's written as one long stanza that actually looks like a mountain on the page! This isn't just for show; it serves two important purposes.
First, the unbroken structure represents the grandfather's reliability and stability. Just like a mountain stands solid and unchanging, so does the grandfather's character. Second, the continuous flow with lots of enjambment (lines flowing into each other) mirrors the non-stop action of climbing a mountain.
Notice how the poem starts with "trying" and ends with "knowing"? This shows the speaker's journey of discovery. Through this imaginary climb, he's learned something important about his grandfather that he didn't fully understand before.
The semantic field of climbing - words like "rope", "grip", "summit", "traverse" - suggests this is an adult speaker reflecting on his grandfather, not a child literally climbing on him. The sophisticated climbing vocabulary tells us this is mature reflection, not childhood memories.
Remember: The structure of a poem often reflects its meaning - here, the mountain-like shape reinforces the central metaphor.
Literary Techniques: How Language Creates Meaning
The enjambment in this poem is particularly smart. When the speaker says "By the overhanging shirt I change/direction", the line break actually makes you change direction as a reader, just like the climber changes direction on the mountain.
Waterhouse uses a brilliant oxymoron: "like warm ice". Ice can't be warm - it's a contradiction! This suggests the speaker's preconceived ideas about his grandfather are changing. Maybe he expected his grandad to be cold or distant (like ice), but discovered he's actually warm and caring.
The ending is pure genius. After all the complex climbing vocabulary, Waterhouse switches to monosyllabic words: "the slow pulse of his good heart". Each word has just one syllable, which slows down your reading pace to match the grandfather's steady heartbeat.
This pace change also signals that the "climb" is over and the speaker has discovered what he was looking for - an understanding of his grandfather's good nature and the strength that comes from a lifetime of hard work.
Key Insight: The grandfather's "splintered nails" that "give good purchase" suggest that his tough experiences actually make him more reliable and easier to hold onto - literally and figuratively.
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Most popular content: Climbing My Grandfather
Most popular content in English Literature
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Most popular content
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Quotes from every main character
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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
Climbing My Grandfather Analysis: Love and Relationships
jana carney
@jana_carney
Ever wondered what it's like to truly understand someone you look up to? Andrew Waterhouse's "Climbing My Grandfather" uses the bizarre but brilliant idea of literally climbing your grandad like a mountain to explore family relationships and respect.
The Big Picture: A Poem About Family and Respect
This might sound mad, but imagine your grandfather as a mountain that you're climbing. That's exactly what Waterhouse does with his extended metaphor - comparing his grandad to a mountain throughout the entire poem. It's not really about rock climbing; it's about getting to know and understand an older family member.
The poem works on two levels simultaneously. On one hand, you've got all the climbing vocabulary and imagery. On the other, you've got the deeper meaning about the relationship between grandson and grandfather. The key is looking past the mountain climbing stuff to see what it reveals about these two people.
What makes this relationship special is the positive ending - "his good heart". Waterhouse deliberately finishes with this warm image to show us this is a loving, respectful relationship, not a complicated or difficult one.
Quick Tip: When you see an extended metaphor like this, always ask yourself: what qualities does the comparison object (mountain) have that relate to the real subject (grandfather)?
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
Structure: One Big Mountain of Text
The poem's layout is dead clever - it's written as one long stanza that actually looks like a mountain on the page! This isn't just for show; it serves two important purposes.
First, the unbroken structure represents the grandfather's reliability and stability. Just like a mountain stands solid and unchanging, so does the grandfather's character. Second, the continuous flow with lots of enjambment (lines flowing into each other) mirrors the non-stop action of climbing a mountain.
Notice how the poem starts with "trying" and ends with "knowing"? This shows the speaker's journey of discovery. Through this imaginary climb, he's learned something important about his grandfather that he didn't fully understand before.
The semantic field of climbing - words like "rope", "grip", "summit", "traverse" - suggests this is an adult speaker reflecting on his grandfather, not a child literally climbing on him. The sophisticated climbing vocabulary tells us this is mature reflection, not childhood memories.
Remember: The structure of a poem often reflects its meaning - here, the mountain-like shape reinforces the central metaphor.
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
Literary Techniques: How Language Creates Meaning
The enjambment in this poem is particularly smart. When the speaker says "By the overhanging shirt I change/direction", the line break actually makes you change direction as a reader, just like the climber changes direction on the mountain.
Waterhouse uses a brilliant oxymoron: "like warm ice". Ice can't be warm - it's a contradiction! This suggests the speaker's preconceived ideas about his grandfather are changing. Maybe he expected his grandad to be cold or distant (like ice), but discovered he's actually warm and caring.
The ending is pure genius. After all the complex climbing vocabulary, Waterhouse switches to monosyllabic words: "the slow pulse of his good heart". Each word has just one syllable, which slows down your reading pace to match the grandfather's steady heartbeat.
This pace change also signals that the "climb" is over and the speaker has discovered what he was looking for - an understanding of his grandfather's good nature and the strength that comes from a lifetime of hard work.
Key Insight: The grandfather's "splintered nails" that "give good purchase" suggest that his tough experiences actually make him more reliable and easier to hold onto - literally and figuratively.
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.
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Most popular content: Climbing My Grandfather
Most popular content in English Literature
English - inspector calls quotes and analysis
Quotes from every main character
English Literature10
Most popular content
English - inspector calls quotes and analysis
Quotes from every main character
English Literature10
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