Climbing my grandfather

• What is the title of the poem discussed in the study material?

  Climbing My Grandfather
• What is the main metaphor in "Climbing My Grandfather"?

  The grandfather is compared to a mountain
• What does the poem explore about the grandson's identity?

  It explores self-discovery and heritage
• Who is the poet of "Climbing My Grandfather"?

  Andrew Waterhouse
• What does the phrase "free without a rope or net" symbolize?

  Trust in his grandfather and lack of fear
• What do the "Dusty and cracked" shoes represent?

  His grandfather's age and life experience
• What does the speaker's struggle to get a grip symbolize?

  Challenges in understanding his identity
• What does traversing along the grandfather's belt suggest?

  Choosing a different path from ancestors
• What does the "earth stained hand" symbolize?

  Grandfather's hard work and purity
• How do the "splintered nails" contribute to the poem's meaning?

  They symbolize the grandfather's struggles and wisdom
• What does the simile "smooth and thick like warm ice" convey?

  Affection and strength of the grandfather
• What does the "glassy Ridge of a scar" represent?

  Grandfather's pain and life experiences
• What does the phrase "climbing has its dangers" imply?

  Realization of risks in self-discovery
• What does the metaphor of "drinking among teeth" symbolize?

  Gaining wisdom from grandfather's advice
• What does staring into the grandfather's brown eyes signify?

  Emotional intimacy and connection
• How do the grandfather's wrinkles function in the poem?

  They symbolize the journey and challenges of life
• What does reaching the summit represent for the speaker?

  Understanding his grandfather and himself
• What does the final tribute to the grandfather's heart signify?

  Admiration and love for his grandfather
• What are the structural features of "Climbing My Grandfather"?

  • Written in a single stanza
  • Irregular line lengths
  • Mixture of enjambment and caesura
  • Mirrors the height and length of a mountain
• What context is important for understanding "Climbing My Grandfather"?

  • Andrew Waterhouse was a teacher and environmentalist
  • He struggled with mental illness
  • His work often focused on nature and the environment
  • He took his own life at age 42
• How can you analyze quotations from the poem in an exam?

  1. Identify interesting language devices
  2. Provide multiple interpretations
  3. Link to themes of identity and connection
  4. Discuss the poet's context and intentions