Family Relationships

Question 1

TS1

Answer 1

In both “Follower” and “Mother Any Distance” the subjects are presented as prevented of their own independence as a result go their strong family relationships.

Question 2

TS2

Answer 2

Whilst in “Mother Any Distance” the mother still supports her child, in “Follower” the roles have reversed as the speaker now must take care of his father which signifies a change in relationship.

Question 3

TS3

Answer 3

Whilst in “Follower” the speaker admires their father’s physical skills, in “Mother Any Distance” the speaker admires their mother’s support due to their strong relationship.

Question 4

“broad shadow” FOLLOWER

Answer 4

• he is literally in his father’s shadow.

D = symbolic as he has to move out of his father’s shadow in order to grow up and thrive.

Question 5

“fall or fly” MOTHER ANY DISTANCE

Answer 5

L = Alliteration - draws the reader’s attention to “fall’ and “fly”.

• connotations of a bird leaving its nest for independence.
• he will either succeed and thrive or fall and fail.
• relationship must be weakened for hi to be able to leave.

Question 6

“but today” FOLLOWER

Answer 6

L = Caesura emphasizes the contrast between past and present.

Question 7

“stumbled” (repeated) FOLLOWER

Answer 7

At first it was the boy who stumbled but now it is the father.

• this shows how the roles have reversed.
• therefore father is now dependent on the son
• went from carrying his son to now his son having to support him.

Question 8

“Anchor. Kite’ MOTHER ANY DISTANCE

Answer 8

L = Caesura - emphasizes it is necessary for them to separate.
BUT
I = 1) he is trying to fly to freedom (kite)

2) someone needs to be there to support him ( his mum controlling the kite)

C = Mother’s instinct to look after her child.

Question 9

“an expert” FOLLOWER

Answer 9

L = Caesura - the son admires how good his father is at what he does.
D = Seamus Heaney may suggest that his poetry is expertly crafted just like his father was one expert.
C = Healey's poetry is ultimately about nature he is trying to carry on his father's work through the medium of literature.

Question 10

“space-walk” MOTHER ANY DISTANCE

Answer 10

L = Metaphor - mother still holds onto the end of the tape.
I = 1) he is literally measuring the room

2) like space, it feels strange to have so much space
- the tape shows her support

C = Simon Armitage moved into his first property after university