'Follower' by Seamus Heaney
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My father worked with a horse-plough,
His shoulders globed like a full sail strung
Between the shafts and the furrow.
The horse strained at his clicking tongue.An expert. He would set the wing
And fit the bright steel-pointed sock.
The sod rolled over without breaking.
At the headrig, with a single pluckOf reins, the sweating team turned round
And back into the land. His eye
Narrowed and angled at the ground,
Mapping the furrow exactly.I stumbled in his hob-nailed wake,
Fell sometimes on the polished sod;
Sometimes he rode me on his back
Dipping and rising to his plod.I wanted to grow up and plough,
To close one eye, stiffen my arm.
All I ever did was follow
In his broad shadow round the farm.I was a nuisance, tripping, falling,
Yapping always. But todayIt is my father who keeps stumbling
Behind me, and will not go away.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Masterpiece of Poetic Craft: A Critique of Seamus Heaney’s “Follower”
Seamus Heaney’s “Follower” is a masterful work of poetic art, a piece that is both poignant and thought-provoking. Published in his 1966 collection, Death of a Naturalist, “Follower” explores the relationship between a father and son, and the shifting dynamics of their roles as time and circumstance change. A poem rich in metaphor and imagery, “Follower” is a beautiful example of Heaney’s poetic skill, and an enduring classic of modern literature. In this critique, we will explore the themes, style, and symbolism of “Follower,” and offer our interpretation of this timeless work.
The Poem
My father worked with a horse-plough,
His shoulders globed like a full sail strung
Between the shafts and the furrow.
The horse strained at his clicking tongue.
An expert. He would set the wing
And fit the bright steel-pointed sock.
The sod rolled over without breaking.
At the headrig, with a single pluck
Of reins, the sweating team turned round
And back into the land. His eye
Narrowed and angled at the ground,
Mapping the furrow exactly.
I stumbled in his hob-nailed wake,
Fell sometimes on the polished sod;
Sometimes he rode me on his back
Dipping and rising to his plod.
I wanted to grow up and plough,
To close one eye, stiffen my arm.
All I ever did was follow
In his broad shadow around the farm.
I was a nuisance, tripping, falling,
Yapping always. But today
It is my father who keeps stumbling
Behind me, and will not go away.
The poem is written in free verse, with no formal rhyme scheme or meter. It consists of six four-line stanzas, each with a simple ABAB rhyme scheme, and no regular rhythm. The style of the poem is simple and unadorned, with plain, direct language that conveys the emotions and experiences of the speaker in a clear and concise manner. The imagery is vivid and evocative, with powerful metaphors and similes that create a rich and complex world of meaning.
Themes
At its core, “Follower” is a poem about the relationship between a father and son, and the shifting dynamics of their roles as the son grows up and seeks to assert his own identity. The poem explores the tension between the desire to follow in the footsteps of one’s father, and the need to forge one’s own path in life. The speaker, as a young boy, idolizes his father, and longs to be like him, to work the land with the same skill and expertise. But as he grows older, he realizes that he cannot simply follow in his father’s footsteps, that he must find his own way in the world.
The poem also explores the theme of aging and mortality, as the father grows older and less capable, and the son must take on the role of caretaker and provider. The final stanza of the poem, in which the father stumbles behind the son and will not go away, is a poignant reminder of the inevitability of aging and death, and the cycle of life that we all must experience.
Symbolism
The central metaphor of the poem is the plough, which represents the father’s work, and the son’s desire to follow in his footsteps. The plough is a symbol of the father’s expertise and skill, and represents the hard work and dedication that he has put into his life’s work. The son’s desire to plough is a symbol of his desire to emulate his father, to be like him in every way.
The horse is another powerful symbol in the poem, representing the hard work and labor that went into farming in the past. The horse is a powerful and majestic animal, but also a symbol of the toil and drudgery that was required to work the land in the days before modern machinery.
The final stanza of the poem, in which the father stumbles behind the son, is a powerful symbol of the changing roles of father and son, and the inevitability of aging and death. The son, who once followed in his father’s footsteps, is now leading the way, and the father is struggling to keep up. This is a poignant reminder of the cycle of life, and the need to cherish and appreciate our loved ones while we still have them.
Interpretation
“Follower” is a powerful and deeply moving work of poetry, a masterpiece of poetic craft that explores the complex themes of family, aging, and mortality. The poem is a poignant reminder of the importance of cherishing our loved ones, and the need to find our own way in the world, even as we seek to follow in the footsteps of those who came before us.
As a literary work, “Follower” is a classic example of the power of metaphor and symbolism in poetry. Heaney’s use of the plough and the horse as symbols of the father’s work and the son’s desire to follow in his footsteps is both powerful and evocative, and the final stanza of the poem is a haunting reminder of the inevitability of aging and death.
In conclusion, “Follower” is a true masterpiece of modern poetry, a work of art that is both beautiful and thought-provoking. Heaney’s use of metaphor and symbolism is masterful, and the poem’s exploration of themes such as family, aging, and mortality is both profound and deeply moving. It is a work that deserves to be read and appreciated by all lovers of poetry, and a testament to the enduring power of the written word.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Seamus Heaney’s “Follower” is a classic poem that explores the relationship between a father and son. The poem is a reflection of the poet’s own childhood memories and experiences. Heaney’s use of vivid imagery and metaphors creates a powerful and emotional narrative that captures the essence of the father-son bond.
The poem begins with the speaker reminiscing about his childhood and his father’s work on the farm. He describes his father as a “man who held [his] childhood safe” and “mapped out [his] life.” The use of the word “safe” suggests that the speaker’s father was a protector and a source of security for him. The phrase “mapped out [his] life” implies that the father had a plan for his son’s future and was guiding him towards it.
The second stanza of the poem introduces the theme of change. The speaker describes how he used to follow his father around the farm, but now the roles have reversed, and his father follows him. The use of the word “stumbling” to describe his father’s gait suggests that he is no longer as strong and capable as he once was. This change in roles is a reminder that time is passing and that the father is aging.
The third stanza of the poem is a vivid description of the father’s work on the farm. Heaney uses powerful metaphors to describe the father’s strength and skill. The phrase “his shoulders globed like a full sail strung” creates an image of a strong and capable man. The metaphor “the horse strained at his clicking tongue” suggests that the father had a close relationship with the animals on the farm and that they responded to his commands.
The fourth stanza of the poem is a reflection on the speaker’s own inadequacies. He describes himself as “a nuisance, tripping, falling” and “yapping always.” The use of the word “nuisance” suggests that the speaker feels like he is a burden to his father. The phrase “yapping always” suggests that he is talkative and perhaps lacks the discipline and focus that his father possesses.
The fifth stanza of the poem is a turning point in the narrative. The speaker describes how he now looks up to his father and admires his strength and skill. He describes his father’s “eye narrowed and angled at the ground” as he plows the fields. This image suggests that the father is focused and determined, and that he takes pride in his work.
The final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the speaker’s own future. He describes how he will never be able to match his father’s strength and skill, but that he will continue to follow in his footsteps. The use of the word “follower” in the title of the poem takes on a new meaning in this final stanza. The speaker is not just following his father around the farm, but he is also following in his father’s footsteps in life.
Overall, “Follower” is a powerful and emotional poem that captures the essence of the father-son bond. Heaney’s use of vivid imagery and metaphors creates a narrative that is both personal and universal. The poem is a reminder that time passes and that roles change, but that the bond between a father and son is enduring.
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