Follower : Themes
Follower is a notable literary work by Seamus Heaney. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of Follower.
Themes
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 grew up. This also shows his love for the family tradition of farming. So, the poem shows a child’s deep respect and love for his parent and farming. The father becomes a symbol of strength and perfection in the child’s eyes.
Old Age and Change in Roles : The poem shows how time changes everything. When the poet was a boy, he used to follow his father around, always tripping and getting in the way. But now, the situation has reversed — the father has grown old and weak. Now he follows the son. This change shows the natural circle of life — parents lead when we are young, and later, we lead them. It is a touching theme of love and aging.