Climbing My Grandfather- Waterhouse 1 May 2023

Mini Starter

Select a person in the

room to work with who

you think you know

quite well.

Must:Understand and be able to thoughtfully explain the meaning and main themes of the poem.(AO1)

Should:Explore and consider multiple interpretations of the poem. (AO1/AO2)

Could:Analyse the language, form and structure of the poem. (AO2)

Eye colourHair Colour

Hair cut/lengthHeight

Nail Varnish Colour etc…

TraitsFavourites What they

had for lunch.etc…

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Which was easier to describe?

Why?

Context:

Andrew Waterhouse (1958-2001) grew up in the north-east of England. He was a poet and musician, and was very passionate about the environment. After winning a prestigious poetry prize in 2000, he gave up his job teaching to devote his time to writing.

He was a very private person, who struggled with depression, and the following year he took his own life. This memorable poem is a portrait of his grandfather but from a very unusual perspective.

Initial ImpressionsRead the below statements, which do you think best describes the writer’s feelings about his grandfather?

1.He admires his grandfather for his continuing strength.2.He loves his grandfather but would like to feel closer to him.3.He respects his grandfather for carrying on working physically.4.He is concerned about his grandfather’s health and age.5.Your own statement…

PAIRHave you chosen the same statement?

Explain to each other why you chose the statement.

3- Key descriptive words/phrases used to describe his grandfather.

2- Thoughts/feelings the writer has about his grandfather.

1- Way this poem represents the theme of love.

Climbing the

Mountain

1. List the different parts of his Grandfather that the

writer mentions.

2. Explain why the writer has focused on these parts

of his grandfather.

3. Interpret the writer’s choice of verbs. What do

they suggest?

4. Compare how the tone/mood/feelings of the poet change as the poem

progresses.

5. Evaluate the success of the writer’s extended

metaphor.

6. Develop your own exam question about this poem.

How far can you climb?

Remember: Detailed responses will make the

climb easier.

What is the poem about?

The narrator imagines climbing his grandfather, using the extended metaphor of himself as a climber and his grandfather as a mountain.

The narrator may be imagining or remembering himself as a child, playing with his grandfather and observing things about him, or he may be using climbing as a metaphor for getting to know him as an adult.

Feelings and Attitudes in the poem.

The speaker has a simple, child-like curiosity about his grandfather. This interest is reflected in his adventurous and fascination with small details.

The narrator wants to make the effort to get to know his grandfather and to be close to him – this is shown in the physical nature of the climb and the exhaustion he feels at the end.

The way the narrator affectionately describes exploring his grandfather, and the way the grandfather smiles, show that they feel comfortable with each other. Their physical closeness as he’s climbing reflects their close emotional relationship.

I decide to do it free, without a rope or net.First, the old brogues, dusty and cracked;an easy scramble onto his trousers,pushing into the weave, trying to get a grip.By the overhanging shirt I change

Present tense – the reader feels like they’re witnessing the climb happening, which creates a sense of adventure.

This adds danger and excitement to the child’s game

He feels confident and comfortable with his grandfather, but there’s also an element of risk. This climbing vocabulary shows the reader that the poem is going to be an extended metaphor of an imagined climb up a mountain.

Compares the shoes to the dusty foot hills of the mountain. Also language about ageMetaphor for trying to

get to know his grandfather.

Enjambment reflects change of direction.

direction, traverse along his beltto an earth-stained hand. The nailsare splintered and give good purchase,the skin of his finger is smooth and thicklike warm ice. On his arm I discover

This suggests that he’s run into difficulty and is taking a different approach.

Detail that a child would notice from playing with his grandfather. It suggests he likes gardening , which hints at a connection with nature – possibly explains why he’s described as a mountain.

Splintered nails sound ugly, but here they give the climber a good grip. This may reflect treatment of old people generally – people don’t always value them, but they have a lot to offer.

Use of oxymoron creates a child-like simile – it’s simple and contradictor. It creates an affectionate image – the grandfather isn’t cold like ice is.

He’s making progress in getting to know him – the scar possibly represents a past that the climber didn’t know about.

the glassy ridge of a scar, place my feetgently in the old stitches and move on.At his still firm shoulder, I rest for a whilein the shade, not looking down,for climbing has its dangers, then pull

Just as a ridge is part of a mountain, the scar is part of the grandfather and is something to be explored.

The grandson is sensitive and understanding – he doesn’t linger over what might have been painful past experiences for his grandfather.

Climbing imagery turns into the familiar image of a child sitting on an adult’s shoulder.

for climbing has its dangers, then pullmyself up the loose skin of his neckto a smiling mouth to drink among teeth.Refreshed, I cross the screed cheek,to stare into his brown eyes, watch a pupilslowly open and close. Then up over

The grandfather enjoys playing with his grandson.

Possibly a metaphor for taking in the things his grandfather says. Also shows that the narrator feels better for talking to him. Double

meaning - he’s also a pupil because he’s learning things about his grandfather.

Child-like fascination with simple things.

the forehead, the wrinkles well-spacedand easy, to his thick hair (soft and whiteat this altitude), reaching for the summit,where gasping for breath I can only liewatching clouds and birds circle,feeling his heat, knowingthe slow pulse of his good heart.

The grandfather’s white hair is compared to snow on a mountain top.

His exhaustion shows that it’s been a difficult climb – he’s been making the effort to get to know his grandfather.

Definite language compared to “trying to get a grip” (line 4) and “discover” (line10) – this emphasises how the narrator has gained knowledge. The short line and enjambment prepares us for some kind of conclusion.

The child may physically feel his grandfather’s heat and heartbeat, but this also hints at the grandfather’s steady and warm love for his grandson. The simple monosyllabic line slows the pace of the poem, imitating the grandfather’s heartbeat.

Poem Dictionary

Brogues – strong leather shoes Traverse – travel across somethingPurchase – firm footholdScreed – a mountain slope covered with loose stones.

Personal response1. What do you learn about the grandfather’s character?

2. Why do you think the narrator chose to make his grandfather the subject of this poem?

3. How do you think the narrator feels after completing his ‘climb’?

Key Themes:

Family relationships, getting older…Compare the bond between the speaker and his grandfather with the bond between the speaker and his parents in ‘Eden Rock’. Take a look at ‘Follower’ for another poem where child-like love is present.

S.M.I.L.E

Symbolism

AlliterationAssonance

Simile Extended Metaphor

Personification

Ballad Sonnet

Free verseDramatic monologue

Juxtaposition

Oxymoron

Emotive LanguageRepetition

Rhyming Couplet

Enjambment

Voice Tone

ANALYSING YOUR POEM

Reflection: SMILE Paragraph• Point:

Topic sentence with an adjective.

• Evidence: Quotation- try to embed it in the sentence.

• Explain: Select a keyword- why does it stand out?What is the effect on the reader?

• Language Analysis- Analyse what the word suggests & how it links back to the adjective.