Up-Hill

Question 1

Uphill: Form?/Structure

Answer 1

Arranged as a sort of ‘call and response’ hyperphoric structure w/ two very distinct speaker, one who appears questioning and another who appears instructive & a figure of guidance - perhaps emblematic of God himself.

Question 2

Uphill: path metaphor

Answer 2

1. ‘Does the road wind uphill all the way?’/Yes, to the very end.’ Protracted structure of the questions emphasised by ‘all the way’, suggesting an arduous journey. Metaphorical steep inclined path symbolises the strenuous work and effort that one must place into practicing spiritual virtues in their day to day life in spite of life’s numerous trials as the ‘journey’ to spiritual unity with God is a lengthy process - a test of the strength and limits of one’s devotion.

Measured, factual response of ‘Yes, to the very end’ est. a gently guiding figure, providing advice to the inquisitive masses/those who are beginning to lose their faith. Euphemistic ‘very end’ is a somewhat reassuring declaration that God’s guidance is everlasting & his presence remains with us eternally, reaffirming his omnipresent state.

2. ‘Will the day’s journey take the whole long day?’: rhyme of way/day emphasises the growing monotony of earthly life as one strives for spiritual perfection and an ascension to heaven. Reinforces the listlessness and boredom of the 1st speaker who appears somewhat disillusioned with this travel.

Question 3

Uphill: religion & religious fervour as guiding & offering protection:

1. ‘r p/a r f w t s d h b.’
2. ‘Y c m t i.’
3. ‘S I m o w f a n?…T w n k y s a t d.’
4. ‘W t b b f m a a w s? Y, b f a w c.’

Answer 3

1. ‘…resting place/a roof for when the slow dark hours begin.’ eternal, everlasting qualities of ‘slow dark hours’ perhaps connote the ever present threat of immorality and sin that threatens one’s connection with God. Could also be interpreted as Earth itself as a location ruled by corruption and moral decline with the potential to uproot someone from the correct path of life. God, religion and heaven itself are contrastingly depicted as comforting places of sanctuary that proffer protection.
2. ‘You cannot miss that inn.’ emphasises the homely qualities of the institute of the church & the community of the Church. Fact that one ‘cannot miss it’ suggests it is a constant, immovable structure, symbolically revealing the omnibenevolent and omnipresent qualities of God as CR’s speakers suggest that God is ever-present to provide one with stability and assistance in their spiritual journey, especially when one experiences lapses in the strength of one’s religiosity.
3. ‘Shall I meet other wayfarers at night?…They will not keep you standing at that door.’ Threshold imagery suggests a boundary, perhaps teh gates of heaven, that separates the speaker & the earthly realm from teh sanctuary of teh spiritual realm. Assertion that teh speaker will not be kept waiting, in a state of prolonged stasis, outside of heaven’s gates posits teh idea that this spiritual/religious community is highly accepting.
4. ‘Will there be beds for me and all who seek?/Yea, beds for all who come.’ Provision of care on an equal scale, emblematic of God’s indiscriminate love which he proffers to all. Also depicts heaven as this world of eternal rest from the arduous suffering and toil that God’s followers have endured in order to achieve this spiritual enlightenment. Repetition of ‘all’ reinforces the idea that Heaven is not restricted to a certain group as God’s omnibenevolent nature results in the extension of spiritual resolve to the entirety of humanity under the belief that we should all, regardless of the number of transgressions we have committed, have the opportunity to access redemption & God’s eternal love.