Follower
Poetry
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Seamus Heaney
Follower Key Facts
Key Facts
Poet: Seamus Heaney (1939-2013)
Full Title: Follower
First Published: 1966 in his poetry collection, Death of a Naturalist
Form: Six quatrains (4-...
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Follower Theme
Themes
Admiration for the Father and His Family Tradition: The poet deeply admires his father’s strength, skill, and hard work as a farmer. As a child, he sees his father as a hero — powerful, confident, and perfect at ploughing. The poet remembers every detail of how his father worked with care and control. He wanted to be just like him when he gre...
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Follower Literary Device
Symbols
Plough: The plough is a symbol of the father’s strength, skill, and hard work. It shows his deep connection to the land and farming life. For the poet, it also represents tradition, effort, and the beauty of honest labor.
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Follower Summary
The poem “Follower” is about the poet’s childhood memories of his father working on the farm. It shows the deep love, respect, and admiration he had for his father’s skill and strength. It also shows how the relationship between father and son changes over time — the father was once the strong leader, but now, in old age, he follows the son.
The Poet’s...
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