Follower Seamus Heaney READ THE Subject What is
Follower Seamus Heaney
READ THE
Subject �What is the poem about? �Heaney discusses his relationship with his father. �He shows us his father’s skill as a farmer as well as his admiring relationship with him. �Heaney then discusses how this relationship changes as his father ages.
The Title �What is the significance of the title of the poem? �The title suggests that Heaney follows his father both literally and metaphorically. �The poem tells us about Heaney’s memory of his father working the farm as he grew up and the way their relationship changed. �Like many of Heaney’s other poems, the title reflects the events described in the poem, but also hints at the ideological significance of the poem.
Structure �How many stanzas are there in the poem? �Describe the structure of each stanza. ◦ Quatrain (a stanza of four lines) ◦ ABAB rhyme scheme �Briefly describe what is discussed in each stanza.
Structure Overview � Stanzas 1 -3: Discuss the persona’s childhood memory of his father working the farm. He describes him specifically working the horse plough and the expert way in which he does this. � Stanza 4: Heaney introduces himself- following his father. He appears desperate to keep up and delighted to be included. � Stanza 5: Heaney discusses wanting to grow up and imagining himself mimicking his father’s movements. � Stanza 6: Heaney understands he was a nuisance to his father as a child, but reminds the reader that now, his father follows him.
The Persona �Describe the persona. �How does the persona relate to Heaney? �How do you think the persona felt about his father when he was young? �How does he feel about his father now he has grown up?
COMPLETE THE LANGUAGE ANALYSIS TASKSHEET
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