Climbing my grandfather Flashcards
What does the metaphor of the mountain suggest, in climbing my grandfather
The steady, strong, and stable nature of his grandfather
Also could draw attention to the negatives
- intimidating
- overpowering etc
What does the fact that climbing my grandfather ends with the quote, “of his good heart” suggest
The fact that it is end of poem, emphasises this line, and reinforces the idea that their relationship was positive and good
What does the fact that the poem is one long stanza, and also uses lots of enjambment tell us, (climbing my grandfather)
The fact it is unbroken into stanzas, reflects the solidity, and stability of the grandfather, which reinforces the extended metaphor
The enjambment shows the continuous action of the climb
What do the specialised climbing words, “scree” and “traverse” suggest
That the speaker is looking back, considering his grandfather, NOT written as a child
What do the quotes, “earth stained hand”, and “nails are splintered” suggest
He is a hardworking, honest man
Enjambment at the line, “by the overhanging shirt, I change/ direction”
Both literal and metaphorical change
“Like warm ice” - climbing my grandfather
The ice is a physical barrier between the speaker and the mountain, which could reflect an emotional barrier between the two. The fact it is warm, and melting, suggests that they are overcoming these differences, and throughout the climb, they are becoming closer, both physically and emotional
“the slow pulse of his good heart’”
Monosyllabic, which slows the reader down. Contrast to the quick pace previously causes by the one stanze and enjambment, which suggest the activity of the climb is over, and the emotional getting to know the grandfather is also over, and the two are closer because of it
