Climbing My Grandfather Flashcards
Extended metaphor
Allows speaker to describe his grandfather as a strong and good person by comparing him to a mountain.
“I decide to do it free, without a rope or net”
Technique: caesura
-brings attention to the word “free”.
-suggests freedom and trust.
Reflects trusting relationship with his grandfather.
“an earth-stained hand”
Technique: adjective
-“earth” = soil; needed for plants to grow. Speaker also needs the comfort of his grandfather to grow.
-romanticises connection with nature.
The speaker relies on his grandfather to learn/develop.
“like warm ice”
Technique: oxymoron
-was a warm and friendly man.
-cold suggests he is dead but kept alive through the speaker’s love.
Treasures character/memories of his grandfather.
“his still firm shoulder”
Technique: symbolism
- shoulders symbolic for carrying weight/bearing troubles.
- “firm” illustrates a man who is resolute and strong emotionally and physically.
“climbing has its dangers”
Technique: metaphor
-“climbing” is metaphor for discovering/knowing about the past of his grandfather;doesn’t know what might uncover.
Speaker is fearful of learning negative about GD’s past.
“soft and white”
Technique: colour symbolism
-white suggests the grandfather was pure.
Romanticises GD’s perfection.
“watching clouds and birds circle”
Technique: nature imagery
-peaceful, calm; this is how GD makes him feel.
“feeling his heat”
Technique: sensory imagery
- shows how the GD is warm.
- suggests life, close bond.
“knowing the slow pulse of his good heart”
Technique: verb
- to know shows that it has a similar feeling to something he has felt before.
- good heart represents admiration for GD.
Structure
-The poem is written in a single stanza.
-Represents the length and height of the ‘climb’.
-Lines are a mix of enjambment and caesura to suggest
the free-flowing movement of the climber, and the perpetual flow of life.
Rhyme scheme
Free verse = lack of restriction
