climbing my grandfather Flashcards
(12 cards)
description
the narrator is 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
form
this poem is written is the present tense, following the narator’s journey up the mountains as he’s imagining it. Enjambent imitates the motion of climbing and emphasises the climber’s steady progress.
the poem looks strong and solid like a mountain.
language about discovery
the poem can also be read as the words of an adult who is learning about his grandfathrr – it is adult in the tone and uses complex language.
the climbing metaphor shows how the narrator is actively trying to get to know his grandfather as a person.
effort
the narrator wants to make the effort to get to knwo his grandfather and to be close to him– this is shown in the physical nature of climb and the exhausion he feels at the end
closeness
the way in narrator affectiontely describes exploring his grandfather, and the way his granfather smiles, show that they feel comfortable with each other.
their physical closeness as he’s climbing reflects on their close emotional relationship
“Without a rope or net”
He feels confident and comfortable with his grandfather but there is also and element of risk.
The climbing vocabulary shows the reader that the poem is going to be an extended metaphor of an imagined climb up a mountain
Dusty and cracked
Language about age
Trying to get a grip
Metaphor for trying to get to know his grandfather
I change
Enjambent reflects change of direction
Warm ice
Oxymoron- childlike simile
The grandfather isn’t cold like ice is
Rest for a while
Climbing imagery turns into the familiar image of a child sitting on an adults shoulder
Soft and white altitude
The grandfathers white hair is compared to snow on a mountain top
