Climbing My Grandfather- Quotes + Context Flashcards
Finish the quotation- “I decide to do it free, without ____ ___ __ _____” The repeated motif of the grandfather’s body being a mountain to climb implies danger but reward in their relationship and this quotation specifically highlights the trust he feels for his grandfather to such a metaphorical risk.
a rope or net
Finish the quotation- “Dusty and cracked, an ____ __________” The juxtaposition of this quotation continues the idea of a generational divide between the two and a lack of understanding leading to uncertainty in the grandson.
easy scramble
Finish the quotation “The skin of his finger is smooth and thick like ____ ___” The juxtaposition of this quotation highlights how the son finds the grandfather unfamiliar and perhaps cold, unforgiving but also soft and kind at the same time.
warm ice
Finish the quotation- “I rest for a while, in the shade, for climbing ___ ___ ____” This quotation continues the theme of danger in learning about his grandfather and the struggle of building trust between them, and perhaps he feels a lack of connection between them and feels disconnected from his grandfather.
has its dangers
Finish the quotation- “Watch a pupil slowly ____ ____ ____” This quotation once again references the old, slow nature of the grandfather and how the grandson views this as exciting, implying unfamiliarity with his grandfather.
open and close
Finish the quotation- “The wrinkles ____________” This quotation could imply intent and care in the appearance of the grandfather and perhaps intent in his design maybe further implying the son is so amazed by his appearance he doesn’t view him as a person but as a creation, highlighting their separation.
well-spaced
Finish the quotation- “to his thick hair (____ ___ _____ at this altitude” This is a repeated metaphor of the grandfather’s head being a mountain peak and could imply his old age and the generational divide between them.
soft and white
Finish the quotation- “where gasping ___ _______” This metaphor implying the difficulties of getting to know his grandfather are similar to the struggle of altitude sickness, perhaps implying his grandfather is stronger and wiser than he is and also, contextually, perhaps linking to the idea that felt disconnected from his grandfather and struggled to speak about his emotions, perhaps contributing to the reason that the speaker took his life. Alternatively, this could be a metaphor for him feeling as if he needs to gasp for breath to keep up with his challenging life and perhaps could explain his rationale for taking his life.
for breath
Finish the quotation- “I can only lie watching ______ ____ ______ circle” This is natural imagery referencing Waterhouse’s connection to nature and implying his grandfather has that connection as well.
clouds and birds
Finish the quotation- “knowing the slow pulse of his ____ _____” This quotation not only implies admiration that the grandson holds for his grandfather but also the calmness they feel with each other and the trust or love that connotes.
good heart
Finish the sentence about context “Waterhouse struggled deeply with mental illness and ____ ____ ____” This explains some of the unfamiliarity between them and the reason he wants to love his grandfather.
took his life
Finish the sentence about context “Waterhouse was brought up in _____-_____ England” This area of England has a worse quality of life than other areas but a large connection with nature.
North-East
Finish the sentence about context “Waterhouse had a keen interest in ___ _________” This is referenced many times in the poem and his grandfather seemingly has a strong connection with this too.
the environment
Finish the sentence talking about the structure of Climbing My Grandfather- “ This poem contains __ _________ ______”
No stanzaic breaks (no breaks in the lines)
Finish the sentence about the nature of the poem “Climbing My Grandfather”- “The relationship explored between the grandson and grandfather in this poem is a _______ relationship”.
Paternal
