Follower Seamus Heaney Analysis

A Critical appreciation of " Follower" ( Cecilia Rafiq, 24.09.07)

"Follower" by an Irish poet, " Seamus Heaney" is a thought provoking poem in which he explores his relationship with his father when as a child he used to follow him around the farm 'stumbling' in his wake as he ploughed the fields. The poem deals with the passing of time, the innocence of youth and the knowledge which comes from experience. It raises issues such as childhood, growing up, and old age. Heaney adds power to his consideration of these issues by his use of effective language. Heaney introduces the theme of childhood by stressing the admiration that he had shown towards his father . Growing up is conveyed when Heaney states
He emphasizes the qualities acquired by his father and states that he hopes to follow in his example. Heaney insists that he was nuisance, He writes, "I stumbled in his hob-nailed wake". This shows that he was much smaller and weaker than his father. He use of word "hob-nailed" suggests that his father wore heavy boots conveying the image of a strong, well built man. "Wake" are the trails left by the nails at the bottom of the boots, takes back to the image of boat leaving waves behind it. The fifth stanza is dedicated to the theme of grown up. The
They boy stumbled because he was young but now the old man stumbles behind him. Heaney now sees his father as burden, he is impatient with is father who showed patience by riding him on his back when he followed him in his " broad shadow round the farm" which suggests his dependence on his father during his childhood. "But today" his old father is dependent on him but Heaney cannot tolerate his father who was prepared to withstand his childish behaviour and took his responsibility. In conclusion "Follower" is a powerful poem which reflects the life cycle. The title is of the poem ambiguous- like young Heaney, many children want to follow their parents footsteps and wanted to be like them as they are proud of them but as time passes slowly and gradually, the attitude of the children changes towards their parents, they break their family traditions, which is a kind of betrayal. This poem makes me think to look towards the future. I hope that I can do best care for my parents when they need me, just like they have done for me when I needed