Ancestral Photograph

Question 0

Dead eyes are statue’s

Answer 0

His eyes are described as that of statues - shows that his father had lifeless eyes - could suggest that he’s dead or it is because Victorian photos took a long time to take so it was difficult to stay happy

Question 1

Jaws puff round and solid as a turnip

Answer 1

‘Turnip’ - looks like a face (bulky)

Question 2

And the upper lip

Bullies the heavy mouth down to a droop

Answer 2

As if the upper lip is pushing down on the lower lip

Question 3

A bowler suggests the stage Irishman

Answer 3

‘Bowler’ - shows he was a prosperous middle class man

Question 4

Whose look has two parts scorn, two parts dead pan

Answer 4

‘Dead pan’ - expressionless

Question 5

His silver watch chain girds him like a hoop

Answer 5

He has a pocket watch which suggests he was prosperous and the chain is tight around him like a hoop around a barrel - this prepares us for another barrel similie

Question 6

My father’s uncle, from where he learnt the trade

Answer 6

Only now do we know who H had been talking about

‘He’ - refers to H’s father

Question 7

Long fixed in serous tints, begins to fade

And must come down

Answer 7

The picture has been there for a long time and it looks awful so H is taking it down - the comma emphasises the finality of it all - stops the process of ideas and rhythm

Question 8

As if a bandage had been ripped from skin

Answer 8

Like a scar - as if what H has done is wrong and even the house itself is hurt because of it

Question 9

Empty plaque to a house’s rise and fall

Answer 9

‘Empty plaque’ - the picture was there from the beginning as a plaque is something that is put up with the house
‘House’s’ - could imply his family

Question 10

Stanza 3 is only 1 sentence. What does this suggest?

Answer 10

The memories are flooding back all of a sudden and H talks about selling cattle which would have been hectic

Question 11

Until my father won at arguing

Answer 11

His father always won the argument

Question 12

Who handled rumps, groped teats, stood, paused and then

Answer 12

Lots of commas and one syllable words which makes it feel breathy and excited - gives a sense of how hectic the market was

Question 13

Bought a round of drinks to clinch the bargain

Answer 13

Repeated sounds sound like the clink of glasses

Question 14

Uncle and nephew, fifty years ago

Answer 14

Man in photo and H’s father

Question 15

This barrel of a man penned in the frame

Answer 15

Another metaphor - refers to cattle and suggests that the picture frame is too small because he is too big

Question 16

Draw thumbs out of his waistcoat, curtly smack

Hands and sell

Answer 16

‘Smack’ - onomatopoeic - done deal - sharp an decisive

Question 17

Father, I’ve watched you do the same

Answer 17

H has seen his father do a similar thing so he knows his Great uncle gave him the skills, characteristics and looks

Question 18

And watched you sadden when the fairs were stopped.

No room for dealers if the farmers shopped

Answer 18

This stanza is sadder and duller as H’s ancestors are obsolete (the family trade is no more)

Question 19

Like housewives at an auction ring

Answer 19

The dealing has gone soft - they’re not real men anymore - not like his father and great uncle

Question 20

Your stick

Was parked behind the door and stands there still

Answer 20

It was hidden away because it makes H feel sad when he looks at it
‘Still’ - motionless + still in time

Question 21

Closing this chapter of our chronicle

Answer 21

H is not a cattle dealer anymore - those days are gone

Question 22

I take your uncle’s portrait to the attic.

Answer 22

The full stop shows the movement of the picture to the attic and the finality of it