Follower by Seamus Heaney is a poignant exploration of the poet's relationship with his father and the inevitable role reversal that occurs as the father ages. Through vivid imagery and precise language, Heaney reflects on his childhood memories of admiring his father's skill as a farmer, and later, the shift in dynamics as Heaney himself becomes the accomplished figure, leaving his father to the side lines. The poem delves into themes of love, admiration, duty, and the passage of time. You can read the poem below and find analysis and a video further down the page.
Follower by Seamus Heaney
My father worked with a horse-plough,
His shoulders globed like a full sail strung
Between the shafts and the furrow.
The horse strained at his clicking tongue.
An expert. He would set the wing
And fit the bright steel-pointed sock.
The sod rolled over without breaking.
At the headrig, with a single pluck
Of reins, the sweating team turned round
And back into the land. His eye
Narrowed and angled at the ground,
Mapping the furrow exactly.
I stumbled in his hob-nailed wake,
Fell sometimes on the polished sod;
Sometimes he rode me on his back
Dipping and rising to his plod.
I wanted to grow up and plough,
To close one eye, stiffen my arm.
All I ever did was follow
In his broad shadow round the farm.
I was a nuisance, tripping, falling,
Yapping always. But today
It is my father who keeps stumbling
Behind me, and will not go away.
Structure:
The poem consists of six quatrains, each following a consistent ABAB rhyme scheme.
Heaney employs enjambment throughout the poem, emphasising the continuous and evolving nature of the father-son relationship.
The use of iambic pentameter lends a rhythmic quality to the poem, reflecting the steady rhythm of farm work.
Analysis:
Title: The title "Follower" has dual significance, referring both to the literal act of following behind his father as a child and the metaphorical idea of following in his father's footsteps.
Imagery and Language: Heaney employs rich agricultural imagery to depict the father's expertise and the son's admiration. Phrases like "globed" and "mapped" convey the father's skill and precision in ploughing, while "nicking and slicing neatly" highlights the son's fascination with his father's proficiency.
Shift in Dynamics: The poem explores the reversal of roles as the son matures and becomes successful in his own right. Heaney describes how, as he grows older, his father begins to follow him, metaphorically and literally, as he struggles to keep up with the son's achievements.
Admiration and Love: Despite the change in roles, there is an underlying sense of respect and love between the father and son. Heaney's admiration for his father's strength and skill is evident throughout the poem, even as their relationship evolves.
Time and Memory: The poem reflects on the passage of time and the inevitability of change. Heaney contrasts his memories of his father's strength and vitality with the reality of his aging and diminishing abilities.
Themes:
Father-Son Relationship: The poem explores the complex dynamics between father and son, including admiration, emulation, and eventual role reversal.
Memory and Nostalgia: Heaney reflects on his childhood memories with a sense of nostalgia, highlighting the significance of past experiences in shaping identity.
Love and Respect: Despite the changing nature of their relationship, love and respect remain central to the bond between father and son.
Key Quotes:
"My father worked with a horse-plough"
"An expert. He would set the wing"
"I stumbled in his hob-nailed wake"
"All I ever did was follow"
"But today It is my father who keeps stumbling"
Conclusion:
Follower by Seamus Heaney offers a poignant reflection on the shifting dynamics of the father-son relationship. Through vivid imagery and precise language, Heaney explores themes of love, admiration, and the passage of time, inviting readers to contemplate the complexities of familial bonds and the inevitability of change.
You can find analysis of all the Love and Relationships Poetry Anthology Poems here.
