Follower

Question 1

Give a short summary of Follower.

“The poem is about his father, who was a…”

Answer 1

The poem is about his father, who was a farmer. He describes following his father as he ploughed the fields. He admired His father’s skills, but there is a sense of frustration with him as he aged.

Question 2

“His shoulder globed like a full sail strung”

Answer 2

Follower
“full sail strung” = Simile + nautical imagery = shows strength + control + size.
“globed” = alluring to Atlas (Greek mythology) = is his work and hard life a curse?

Question 3

“It is my father who keeps stumbling/ Behind me, and will not go away.”

Language techniques

Answer 3

Follower
“stumbling” = aging + vulnerable father + repetition.
“will not go away.” = it is his father who is the nuisance.

Question 4

“It is my father who keeps stumbling/ Behind me, and will not go away.”

Structure techniques

Answer 4

Follower
Regular, steady iambic tetrameter throughout the poem reflects stability in their relationship.

BUT the meter breaks in the FINAL stanza = shows tension and unpredictability in the relationship + father losing control