Climbing My Grandfather

Question 1

What type of poem is it?

Answer 1

Familial

Question 2

What are the key themes?

Answer 2

1. Memory
2. Admiration

Question 3

Key quotes for memory?

Answer 3

“Gasping for breath” - crying, accessing memory is hard, speechless when he thinks about it, life was pure, the memories of grandfather are fond and sweet

“Old brogues, dusty and cracked;” - the memory is dusty and cracked, hasn’t been accessed in a life time, obvious that it’s a painful memory and is difficult to re experience

“For climbing has its dangers” - accessing memories is dangerous, metaphor

Question 4

Key quotes for admiration?

Answer 4

“Like warm ice” - juxtaposing, simile, suggest confusion and lack of clarity, doesn’t know how to describe grandad, hasn’t seen him in a while, hasn’t accessed memory showing the difficulty to access it

“Feeling his heat,” - his grandad was a good person, felt comfortable with him, felt at home, good relationship, living in the memory is like reliving every moment together, contrast with “ice” - he doesn’t feel comfortable anymore or at home as grandad is gone, his emotions have grown cold, numbness

“The slow pulse of his good heart.” - slow pulse = calm and peace, not intimidating, had a peaceful presence, the full stop could be a moment of processing memory, reliving moments when he was around, slow pulse = also means deteriorating health, still remained positive and was warm to be around

Question 5

What is there an extended metaphor of?

Answer 5

Accessing memories = like climbing a cliff

“I decide to do it free, without a rope or net.” - dangerous, thrilling, emotional, processing a memory may be difficult, sad memories may rise from the good ones, a rope or net support a climber - speaker doesn’t want support (like family photos), just wants to do it himself