follower - seamus heaney

• poem summary


  an autobiography poem where Heaney reflects on his childhood, portraying his father as a skilled farmer he greatly admired.
• “His shoulders globed like a full sail strung” -metaphor

  • the metaphor of sails portrays the father as strong, powerful and in control, emphasising his physical presence.
• “His shoulders globed like a full sail strung “ - imagery


  • the imagery links to the idea of navigation and direction, suggesting that the father is leading the way while the son struggles to keep up.
• “In his broad shadow round the farm”


  • “Broad shadow” is symbolic of how the fathers presence looms over son, suggesting both admiration and a sense of inadequacy.
• “In his broad shadow round the farm”

  • the son feels overwhelmed by his fathers skills and he struggles to escape his influence.