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15
0
E
Elizabeth
30/09/2025
English Literature
FOLLOWER ANALYSIS LOVE AND RELATIONSHIPS POETRY
922
•
30 Sept 2025
•
Follower Poem Analysis: Themes, Quotes, and Father-Son Relationship
E
Elizabeth
@elizabethpm
Page 2: Detailed Analysis of "Follower"
The second page of the Follower poem analysis delves deeper into the poem's language and imagery, revealing the intricate ways Heaney crafts his message.
The poem opens with a vivid description of the father at work:
"My father worked with a horse-plough, His shoulders globed like a full sail strung Between the shafts and the furrow."
Vocabulary: Furrow - A long narrow trench made in the ground by a plow.
The assonant long "o" sounds in "globed" and "shoulders" emphasize the broadness of the father's physique, reinforcing the image of strength and capability.
Heaney's use of nautical imagery continues throughout the poem:
- The father's control over the horses is likened to harnessing the power of the wind.
- The sod rolling over is compared to waves crashing against the shore.
Highlight: The nautical imagery serves to elevate the father's skill, comparing his mastery of ploughing to that of a skilled sailor navigating powerful natural forces.
The poem's structure shifts in the fourth stanza, emphasizing the contrast between the father's skill and the son's clumsiness:
"I stumbled in his hob-nailed wake, Fell sometimes on the polished sod;"
Definition: Hob-nailed - Shoes or boots with short nails inserted into the soles for better traction.
This change in focus underscores the son's struggle to emulate his father and his growing awareness of the gap between them.
The rhythm of the poem itself mimics the movement described:
"Sometimes he rode me on his back Dipping and rising to his plod."
The enjambment and rhythm here imitate the boy's movement on his father's back, creating a sensory experience for the reader.
Example: The use of enjambment in "Dipping and rising to his plod" physically represents the up-and-down motion of riding on the father's back.
The poem concludes with a powerful role reversal:
"It is my father who keeps stumbling Behind me, and will not go away."
This sudden shift to the present tense, marked by a caesura, creates a jarring effect that emphasizes the change in their relationship over time.
Quote: "It is my father who keeps stumbling / Behind me, and will not go away." - This poignant ending leaves the reader to contemplate the complexities of aging and family relationships.
The title "Follower" takes on an ambiguous meaning by the poem's end, referring to both the son and the father at different points in their lives. This ambiguity invites readers to reflect on the cyclical nature of parent-child relationships and the inevitable passage of time.
Page 1: Context and Structure of "Follower"
Seamus Heaney, Ireland's most famous poet, writes honestly about his relationship with his father, his homeland, and his own identity in "Follower". This poem is often perceived to be his most autobiographical work, showcasing his admiration for his father and the complexities of their relationship.
The poem's structure is carefully crafted to reflect its themes:
- The first three stanzas focus on the father, highlighting his skill and strength.
- The next two stanzas shift to the boy's struggles with his identity, illustrating his admiration for his father and his failed attempts to be like him.
- The final stanza presents a role reversal, with the father now "stumbling behind his son."
Highlight: The poem's structure mirrors the evolution of the father-son relationship, moving from admiration to struggle and finally to a reversal of roles.
The form of the poem is equally significant:
- It consists of 6 stanzas, each four lines long, written mostly in iambic tetrameter.
- The neat structure and steady rhythm mimic the action of ploughing.
- The ABAB rhyme scheme, with some half-rhymes, reflects how the boy falls short of being like his father.
Example: The use of half-rhymes in the poem's structure subtly reinforces the theme of the son not quite measuring up to his father's expertise.
The poem explores several key themes:
- Strong bonds: "he rode me on his back" - This parental imagery shows a good relationship, with the father being loving and patient with his son.
- Admiration: The father is described as "an expert," emphasizing his skill.
- Desire and longing: The "broad shadow" metaphor suggests the son feels he's living in his father's shadow, wanting to be like him.
- Aging: The final stanza's image of the father "stumbling behind me" indicates the passage of time and changing roles.
Quote: "His shoulders globed like a full sail strung" - This simile emphasizes the father's strength and skill, comparing him to a powerful ship.
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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.
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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
Follower Poem Analysis: Themes, Quotes, and Father-Son Relationship
E
Elizabeth
@elizabethpm
The poem "Follower" by Seamus Heaney is a poignant exploration of the relationship between a son and his father, set against the backdrop of rural Irish life. This Follower poem analysisdelves into themes of admiration, identity, and the changing... Show more
Page 2: Detailed Analysis of "Follower"
The second page of the Follower poem analysis delves deeper into the poem's language and imagery, revealing the intricate ways Heaney crafts his message.
The poem opens with a vivid description of the father at work:
"My father worked with a horse-plough, His shoulders globed like a full sail strung Between the shafts and the furrow."
Vocabulary: Furrow - A long narrow trench made in the ground by a plow.
The assonant long "o" sounds in "globed" and "shoulders" emphasize the broadness of the father's physique, reinforcing the image of strength and capability.
Heaney's use of nautical imagery continues throughout the poem:
- The father's control over the horses is likened to harnessing the power of the wind.
- The sod rolling over is compared to waves crashing against the shore.
Highlight: The nautical imagery serves to elevate the father's skill, comparing his mastery of ploughing to that of a skilled sailor navigating powerful natural forces.
The poem's structure shifts in the fourth stanza, emphasizing the contrast between the father's skill and the son's clumsiness:
"I stumbled in his hob-nailed wake, Fell sometimes on the polished sod;"
Definition: Hob-nailed - Shoes or boots with short nails inserted into the soles for better traction.
This change in focus underscores the son's struggle to emulate his father and his growing awareness of the gap between them.
The rhythm of the poem itself mimics the movement described:
"Sometimes he rode me on his back Dipping and rising to his plod."
The enjambment and rhythm here imitate the boy's movement on his father's back, creating a sensory experience for the reader.
Example: The use of enjambment in "Dipping and rising to his plod" physically represents the up-and-down motion of riding on the father's back.
The poem concludes with a powerful role reversal:
"It is my father who keeps stumbling Behind me, and will not go away."
This sudden shift to the present tense, marked by a caesura, creates a jarring effect that emphasizes the change in their relationship over time.
Quote: "It is my father who keeps stumbling / Behind me, and will not go away." - This poignant ending leaves the reader to contemplate the complexities of aging and family relationships.
The title "Follower" takes on an ambiguous meaning by the poem's end, referring to both the son and the father at different points in their lives. This ambiguity invites readers to reflect on the cyclical nature of parent-child relationships and the inevitable passage of time.
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: Context and Structure of "Follower"
Seamus Heaney, Ireland's most famous poet, writes honestly about his relationship with his father, his homeland, and his own identity in "Follower". This poem is often perceived to be his most autobiographical work, showcasing his admiration for his father and the complexities of their relationship.
The poem's structure is carefully crafted to reflect its themes:
- The first three stanzas focus on the father, highlighting his skill and strength.
- The next two stanzas shift to the boy's struggles with his identity, illustrating his admiration for his father and his failed attempts to be like him.
- The final stanza presents a role reversal, with the father now "stumbling behind his son."
Highlight: The poem's structure mirrors the evolution of the father-son relationship, moving from admiration to struggle and finally to a reversal of roles.
The form of the poem is equally significant:
- It consists of 6 stanzas, each four lines long, written mostly in iambic tetrameter.
- The neat structure and steady rhythm mimic the action of ploughing.
- The ABAB rhyme scheme, with some half-rhymes, reflects how the boy falls short of being like his father.
Example: The use of half-rhymes in the poem's structure subtly reinforces the theme of the son not quite measuring up to his father's expertise.
The poem explores several key themes:
- Strong bonds: "he rode me on his back" - This parental imagery shows a good relationship, with the father being loving and patient with his son.
- Admiration: The father is described as "an expert," emphasizing his skill.
- Desire and longing: The "broad shadow" metaphor suggests the son feels he's living in his father's shadow, wanting to be like him.
- Aging: The final stanza's image of the father "stumbling behind me" indicates the passage of time and changing roles.
Quote: "His shoulders globed like a full sail strung" - This simile emphasizes the father's strength and skill, comparing him to a powerful ship.
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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App Store
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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