Follower - Seamus Heaney

Follower - Seamus Heaney

"His shoulders globed like a full sail strung" - This line in the poem could be a physical description of his Father's shoulders -however, it is more likely to be a metaphor of his Father's strength and the way that his body is braced could signify that he is protective. It could indicate that Seamus admired his Father.

"The horses strained at his clicking tongue" - Could mean that he was very precise with his work and did not quit until the task was complete up to his standard - the horses tiring could show how persistent and dedicated his Father was, to the point that even the horses were tiring.
This could also mean that his Father was very powerful and he had control over the horses.

"With a single pluck/Of reins, the sweating team turned around." - The ''single pluck of reins'' shows that his Father had complete control over the horses -- they did not hesitate or disobey. The action, "pluck," is not violent or cruel, he is good to his animals. "The sweating team'' is another example to show the dedication to the job.


"Dipping and rising to his plod," - the dipping and the rising could show a pattern -- like a routine, precise/planned - his Father is a proffessional, he has a method in his work. This could also be linked to the metre of the poem. The phrase leads to imagery as well.

Seamus Heaney

"I stumbled in his hob-nailed wake" - This line tells the reader a little about Seamus Heaney. It gives the imprerssion that he follows his Father around, interested in his work. He is inspired by his Father and fascinated. The word ''stumbled'' could insinuate that he is hurrying along behind him, trying to keep up, and tripping in the mud.

"I was a nuisance, tripping, falling/Yapping always" - Shows that he is following his Father and he feels like he is annoying him. this gives the impression to the reader that Seamus is just a small child and he is following his Father liek a lost puppy every where he goes. He could be talking copnctantly, or asking his Father questions about the job. you get the impression that he is only young because he is tripping and falling, he is obviously not too experianced in working on the field. The word "Yapping" links to a dog, aimless/pointless background noise; loud and possibly irritating.

In this poem, Seamus Heaney reminds me of a 'lost puppy.' The way that he follows his Fasther around, ''yapping,'' and getting under his Father's feet and getting in the way, but determined to keep up and see what's happening.

In the last two lines of the poem the relationship changes between Seamus and his Father. "But today, It is my father who keeps stumbling, Behind me, and will not go away." It suggests that this is far into the future, when Seamus is a man and his Father is now too old to plough the feilds. It gives the idea that his Father follows him to gide him or watch over him -- he could be advising him, he stumbles because he is so old?