extended metaphor- mountains have positive and negative attributes

steady, reliable and admirable- all positive attributes

respect and awe that speaker has

ends with positive image- reinforces fact that it is a positive poem

STRUCTURE

-one long stanza/ single verse of 27 lines

=supports idea of imposing mountain, as well as continuous nature of speaker's 'climb'

unbroken reflects solidity and stability (maintained connection between speaker and gfather

reinforces the fact that grandfather is like a mountain

little pausing throughout poem - continuous action of climb (perhaps a pause would indicate a loss of connection)

-extended metaphor

FORM

narrative verse

written in present tense, yet focuses on past and a recollection of past memories

suggests importance of memories.

LANGUAGE

lexical field of climbing shows adult intelligent speaker- sophistication of vocab specialist field

speaker now as an adult

speaker discovers truth

Double meaning is used throughout, balancing literal meaning of a young child describing each aspect of gfather, and also metaphorical depth

" I decide to do it free"- carries double meaning : speaker is free climbing and also describes becoming an adult.

=this decision embolden poet and also emphasize complexity of the climbing task

"I rest for a while"- does not want to look down (aware of dangers of climbing) + gfather is also setting a high standard by which to compare himself

=gson wants to mirror family success

"pupil"- refers to literal eye + likening himself to a student with much to learn.

=gson aspires to be like gfather and emulate the admirable figure

Begins with "trying" ends with "knowing" definitive lang

much more infomed

PUNCTUATION

Caesura, break and causes reader to reflect

"altitude, reaching for the summit"- breathlessness of climb

(going the extra mile)

Pauses in between words- urges reader to consider their own memories, yet indicating that it is too late for the speaker

Enjambment

reflects change in direction (speaker)

"the nails"- emphasized, refers to breathless climb and literal analysis of gfather's nails

END

final line is simple: "slow pulse of his good heart"

monosyllabic

slows down pace- reflects slow heartbeat of grandfather

strenuous activity is finished

poem acts as discovery, further uncovers and acknowledges after his gfather's death

Waterhouse journeys through the poem to understand his gfather better, yet there is a sense sadness that he appears to recognise his "good heart" too late

motion of climbing, higher up a mountain the better understanding of landscape, which mirrors how the more he climbs the greater his knowledge is of his gfather.

	Created by Annie Loizides over 7 years ago

English Literature Note on Poem analysis: Love and relationships video notes , created by Annie Loizides on 13/05/2017.