2774089
Ancestral
Photograph
- 'Ancestral' connotation of
the distance to the past,
contrasts 'digging' which digs
into the past.
- both are reflective poems of the past.
- Reference to the watch is a
reminder of the poem's
meaning, the theme of time
that permeates.
- 'long' and 'begins to fade' capture the extensive passage of time.
- 'now' brings us strongly to the present day.
- 'now' brings us strongly to the present day.
- 'long' and 'begins to fade' capture the extensive passage of time.
- Reference to the watch is a
reminder of the poem's
meaning, the theme of time
that permeates.
- both are reflective poems of the past.
- photographs are evidence of the past, they
capture emotion in a still frame.
- Three generations, father,
father's uncle and himself
are described specifically.
- Three generations, father,
father's uncle and himself
are described specifically.
- Age of the photograph is evident as it is removed from the wall, there is
a white patch.
- The picture is far more formal than
modern photographs (like selfies),
dressed in formal attire and stern.
Photographs in that time were a
non-authentic rendition of the people.
- Father's uncle is described as a masculine, strong jawed and proud Irish figure.
- Simile used to describe him is rooted in rural imagery.
- "Solid as a turnip"
- "Solid as a turnip"
- Almost described like a stereotypical 'Irish Person'
- Bowler hat, represents the stage irishman.
Symbol of the false nature of photographs in
that era, which conjure a stereotypical, formal
impression rather than the rural fashion of
the farmer.
- Buying a round of drinks at the
end to seal a deal is very old
fashioned and idealistically irish.
- Bowler hat, represents the stage irishman.
Symbol of the false nature of photographs in
that era, which conjure a stereotypical, formal
impression rather than the rural fashion of
the farmer.
- Description of the uncle is almost negative.
Scornful descriptions suggest a problematic
essence to his personality.
- Use of 'bullies' signifies a strong, overbearing personality.
- 'chain' represents someone who is oppressing or controlling.
- Choice of the verb, 'girded' symbolises how he is
being reined in, it shows how he is being encircled by
the chain.
- Use of 'bullies' signifies a strong, overbearing personality.
- Simile used to describe him is rooted in rural imagery.
- 'Dead Eyes are Statues' Because the figure is
currently dead. Reflects the era, much more
sedate photos in the ancient past when
people didn't smile for photographs.
- Further reference to 'dead pan' captures emotionless expression.
- Further reference to 'dead pan' captures emotionless expression.
- Father's uncle is described as a masculine, strong jawed and proud Irish figure.
- Modal verb "Must come down" emphasises that
things will inevitably move on
- 'ripped' simile contains emotive, violent language. Powerful and
suggestive of pain. Realisation that Heaney must break with the
past and that it is not a comfortable or pleasant realisation,
- 'ripped' simile contains emotive, violent language. Powerful and
suggestive of pain. Realisation that Heaney must break with the
past and that it is not a comfortable or pleasant realisation,
- Reference to the chemical fixing of photographs used in
that time reflects that the values and attitudes of the past
have gone. Followed by the caesura which adds to the
finality that occurs when the picture is removed.
- The picture is far more formal than
modern photographs (like selfies),
dressed in formal attire and stern.
Photographs in that time were a
non-authentic rendition of the people.
- Sense of family tradition
as it shows skills being
handed down through
generations
- The series of enjambed lines in stanza three reflects the flow of
memories. Mimics someone with the gift of talking, Heaney's father,
who is described as a great salesman, bargaining and haggling at fairs.
- Jargon used, 'the crowd of cattlemen' recreates the hustle and bustle of a crowd. Further
farming analogy is used later.
- Jargon used, 'the crowd of cattlemen' recreates the hustle and bustle of a crowd. Further
farming analogy is used later.
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