The Follower

"The Follower" is a captivating poem written in the first decades of the 20th century by Seamus Heaney, who is commonly known as the Irish poet of Nature and Man. However, unlike William Wordsworth, Seamus Heaney's didactic messages are more pessimistic and down-to-earth. The poem which is dived into two parts centres on the story of a father and son, who evolve amidst a pastoral setting. The main thematic issues which predominate are time, life cycle, cruelty and reality of existence. This essay will attempt to present and analyse the change impact of time on human relationship.

In the first few stanzas Seamus Heaney represents the father as a hero. A description of the father at work in the first stanza, informs us of the physical and mental qualities the father possesses. The tone which surfaces is that of admiration and pride; since an attempt is made to idealize him. The poet makes use of poetic language as he compares the physiognomy of the father to a type of Pygmalion. "Globed" is a metaphorical verb, which gives an image of strength and intimidation towards the horses. The poet also makes use of alliteration, "sail stung", and this adding emphasis to the fathers' abilities and skills. The second stanza, the poet informs us about the agility and commanding power of the father, with the use of the word 'wing'. 'Sock' is a metaphorical verb as the movements are compared to a swift cutting blade, the poet makes use of this to add emphasis to the agility defining the skills of the father. The scene here is vivid and oppressive. We can also note, in the third stanza the father works accurately with precision bringing about to the use of 'his eyes narrowed and angled at the ground, mapping the furrow exactly'. This shows physical and mental force. In brief he is the leader and eulogized by his child. When the poet makes a flashback in the fourth verse where he recollects his childhood experience, this adds a sense of reality to the poem. The tone here is playful which coincides with the state of mind of a child. The atmosphere is that of joy which emphasises on the youth. Furthermore the fifth verse confirms the idea of the father being presented as an idol, as the son gives a positive image of following in his fathers' footsteps. The poet is putting forward a traditional concept of the son imitating the father. The use of broad shadow puts the father in a superior position the narrator/son makes his father become a vision, like an aim in life to achieve.

As the poem proceeds,