Follower By Seamus Heaney Amiroumounina Sy D2 4292013

Follower By Seamus Heaney Amiroumounina Sy D-2 4/29/2013

About the Author �Born in Derry County, Northern Ireland �A happy childhood: the eldest of nine children spent a happy childhood on a farm. �Leaving home: First undergraduate at queen’s University in Belfast, Northern Ireland �Having struggled with the role of the artist in Northern Ireland’s trouble political climate, he left and settled in the independent Irish

Plot summary: The Follower shows a transition of life from boy to manhood Thesis: In the poem “Follower” Seamus Heaney, uses Rhyme, Asimile, and Metaphors create a vivid picture of son mastering his father’s trade. .

Theme and Tone Theme: All Things can be accomplished with Time and Work Tone: In stanzas 1, 2, and 3 the tone is one of Pride and Admiration of the son for his father. �In stanza 3 and 4 the tone changes to determination and diligence as it focuses the weak and inexperienced son. �In the Last stanza he continues on until he becomes the master of his father’s trade.

Figurative Language & Poetic Devices � He uses words that are familiar to the farmer as well as common for that period of time. Ex. “full sail strung”, “furrow”, “wing”, “hob-nailed wake” “plod” “steel-pointed sock” �Rhyming Scheme Stanza 1, 2, & 5 have ABCB • • • Stanza 4 & 6 have ABAB Stanza 3 has ABAC Stanza 7 has ABAB

Poem Interpretation In the follower the father plowing as he learns of his trade. The poem spans overtime until the father has aged. He is no longer able to perform as in his earlier years. The son speaks of how masterful his father is in his trade. ( line 2, “shoulders like a full sail strung” line 3 &4, “shafts and furrow” – “horse strained at his clicking tongue” line 5, “An expert” “ line 8&9 “with a single pluck of reins the team turned” line 12, “Mapping the furrow exactly” Stanzas 4, 5, & 6 The son is now weak yet determined to learn of his father’s trade line 13 “stumbled in his hob-nailed wake” line 14 “fell sometimes on the polished sod” Line 15 “rode on his back” line 19 “ all I ever did was follow” line 21 “nuisance, tripping, falling” line 22 “ Yapping always” At the end of stanza 6 the son becomes master and the father has aged and is no longer able to perform. line 23 “my father keeps stumbling” line 24 behind me, and will not go away.

Conclusion: In the poem “Follower” Seamus Heaney, uses Rhyme, Asimile, and Metaphors create a very detailed picture of son mastering his father’s trade. . � Here the author wants to inspire the reader to not give in his endeavors. Farming was a common trade and many could relate to hard work and diligence it took to be successful when raising a crop. Using this view the reader could understand, related, and not give whatever the task. The author flows from a from one tone and mood to others to grab the reader, show the reward of the sons determination and diligence over time.

Work Cited http: //www. poemhunter. com/poem/follower-2/: ; April 26 th 2013