* Biblical imagery (rise from near death) links to the resurrection
"Hollow" "Scant" "Crossing"β¨
*The adjectives create a semantic field of death and decay
*Speakers bluntness may come of as insensitive (highlighting his innocence)
"How lank and thin your beard hangs now!"β¨
*captures the distress at Grandpa's fragility.
*The "!" further reinforces this
CONTEXT
*published in romantic era emphasises on emotionality
*Behaviour of children was heavily influenced by the Bible
*"Respect your mother and father" : obey orders given
*Children were symbols of freedom and innocence
*Father died at 16 : exposed to death at a young age
THEMES
innocence
grief
fragility
decay
"and gossips come to ask for you..and..and"β¨
*use of polysyndeton highlights how many people the grandfather had a huge impact on. This could imply he was well-known and respected in the community
"weary fire turns blue"β¨
*foreshadows death : "fire" has links to a cremation
