‘Climbing My Grandfather’ Andrew Waterhouse

Visual Storyboard – The images tell the story of the poem. Task: Write the line from the poem that you think each image refers to underneath the image.

Q. What is an Extended Metaphor? Which other poem/s use one? Is the grandfather so amazing that he could only be compared to a mountain? Is he so tall compared to a small child that he seems like a mountain? Is he challenging but awe-inspiring? Does he lift the child physically and metaphorically? Does he seem so old that he is part of the natural landscape? Is our lasting impression of the grandfather one which is positive or negative? What kind of man is the grandfather? What are his qualities and interests (from what we can infer from the poem)? Who is the speaker – a young child or a grown man?

Andrew Waterhouse Born in 1958 in Lincolnshire. He was interested in nature and cared about the environment. He was very academic, but actually turned down a place at Cambridge as he didn’t think he would fit in. For many years he was a lecturer in Environmental Science in Northumberland. He was so interested in the environment that he bought 10 acres of land to plant trees on. In 2000, his poetry collection ‘In’ won the Forward prize for Best First Poetry Collection. He suffered from severe bouts of depression. In 2001 he committed suicide at the age of 42.

an easy scramble onto his trousers, STRUCTURE: Present tense – the reader feels like they’re witnessing the climb happening which creates a sense of adventure. Adds excitement and danger to the child’s game 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. He feels confident and comfortable with his grandfather, but there’s also an element of risk. Metaphor for trying to get to know his grandfather Compares the shoes to the dusty foothills of the mountain – also language about age Extended metaphor of climbing a mountain – possibly represents life

By the overhanging shirt I change direction, traverse along his belt STRUCTURE: Enjambment reflects the change in direction This suggests that he has run into difficulty and is trying something new. By the overhanging shirt I change direction, traverse along his belt to an earth-stained hand. The nails are splintered and give good purchase, the skin of his finger is smooth and thick like warm ice. Detail that a child would notice from playing with his grandfather. It suggests that he likes gardening. Perhaps he likes nature which is why he is described as a mountain – CONTEXT? Splintered nails sound ugly, but here they give the climber good grip. Oxymoron and simile – child-like. It’s affectionate as his grandfather isn’t cold like ice

the glassy ridge of a scar, place my feet He’s making progress in getting to know him. Maybe the scar represented something that he didn’t know about him Just as a ridge is a part of a mountain, the scar is part of the grandfather and 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 On his arm I discover the glassy ridge of a scar, place my feet gently in the old stitches and move on. At his still firm shoulder, I rest for a while in the shade, not looking down, for climbing has its dangers, then pull myself up the loose skin of his neck to a smiling mouth to drink among teeth. Strong and supportive Familiar image of a child sitting on a shoulder The grandfather enjoys playing with the grandson Possibly a metaphor for taking in the thing his grandfather says. Also shows that the narrator feels better for talking to him

Refreshed, I cross the screed cheek, Double meaning – he is also a pupil because he is learning things about his grandfather Child –lie fascination with simple things Refreshed, I cross the screed cheek, to stare into his brown eyes, watch a pupil slowly open and close. Then up over the forehead, the wrinkles well-spaced and easy, to his thick hair (soft and white at this altitude), reaching for the summit, Screed – a mountain slope covered with loose stones The grandfather’s white hair is compare to snow on top of a mountain

where gasping for breath I can only lie His exhaustion shows that it has been a difficult climb – he’s been making the effort to get to know his grandfather This emphasises how the narrator has gained knowledge. The short line and enjambment prepares us for a conclusion where gasping for breath I can only lie watching clouds and birds circle, feeling his heat, knowing the slow pulse of his good heart. The child may physically feel his grandfather’s heart and heartbeat, but it also hints at the grandfather's steady and warm love for his grandson Monosyllabic line slows the pace of the poem, imitating his father’s heartbeat

Structure and form Narrative verse – poem tells a story Parts of the grandfather's body represent parts of the mountain – 2 settings Enjambment – reflects mountain climbing – short rests followed by intensive activity Present tense – gives immediacy Solid block of continual writing – solid like a mountain with longer lines like ledges on a mountain Logical order – ‘first’

Enjambment Inquisitive Closeness Extended metaphor Exploration Oxymoron Climbing Simile Prepositions Free verse Caesura Mountain Narrative Verse Logical Order Monosyllabic Enjambment Inquisitive Closeness Extended metaphor Exploration Oxymoron Climbing Simile Prepositions Free verse Caesura Mountain Narrative Verse Logical Order Monosyllabic Enjambment Inquisitive Closeness Extended metaphor Exploration Oxymoron Climbing Simile Prepositions Free verse Caesura Mountain Narrative Verse Logical Order Monosyllabic Enjambment Inquisitive Closeness Extended metaphor Exploration Oxymoron Climbing Simile Prepositions Free verse Caesura Mountain Narrative Verse Logical Order Monosyllabic FREE – CRACKED – EASY – GRIP – OVERHANGING – TRAVERSE – STAINED – PURCHASE – SMOOTH – WARM -SCAR – GENTLY – FIRM – DOWN – DANGERS – LOOSE – SMILING – SCREED – STARE – UP – WRINKLES – SOFT – SUMMIT – BREATH – BIRDS – FEELING - HEART FREE – CRACKED – EASY – GRIP – OVERHANGING – TRAVERSE – STAINED – PURCHASE – SMOOTH – WARM -SCAR – GENTLY – FIRM – DOWN – DANGERS – LOOSE – SMILING – SCREED – STARE – UP – WRINKLES – SOFT – SUMMIT – BREATH – BIRDS – FEELING - HEART FREE – CRACKED – EASY – GRIP – OVERHANGING – TRAVERSE – STAINED – PURCHASE – SMOOTH – WARM -SCAR – GENTLY – FIRM – DOWN – DANGERS – LOOSE – SMILING – SCREED – STARE – UP – WRINKLES – SOFT – SUMMIT – BREATH – BIRDS – FEELING - HEART FREE – CRACKED – EASY – GRIP – OVERHANGING – TRAVERSE – STAINED – PURCHASE – SMOOTH – WARM -SCAR – GENTLY – FIRM – DOWN – DANGERS – LOOSE – SMILING – SCREED – STARE – UP – WRINKLES – SOFT – SUMMIT – BREATH – BIRDS – FEELING - HEART