Comparing Two Poems – Follower and Digging Essay Example

in control. As the boss, he sets them back into the land to do more hard work. His precise eye is angled towards the ground, mapping the furrow exactly like a cartographer. He is so concentrated that he does not notice his son taking quiet notes.

The following stanza portrays the boy's recollection of his father. He relays, "I stumbled in his hobnailed wake, Fell sometimes on the polished sod;" The son depicts himself as tripping in his father's hobnailed footsteps. This imagery creates an impression of large, clunky boots leaving an imprint like a never-ending ferry wake. The polished sod contrastingly denotes a surface that is smooth and finished. The speaker mentions that "Sometimes he rode me on his back dipping and rising to his plod." The father, who appears commanding and burly, displays a more tender side by carrying his son on his back, moving up and down with each step. In the subsequent lines, the boy expresses the desire to grow up and be dominant. He says, "I wanted to grow up and plough, to close one eye, stiffen my arm," however, he instead spent his time following "In his broad shadow around the farm."

It's worth reading the questions and answers about the poem "Night of the Scorpion". The protagonist in this poem feels inferior to his father, constantly overshadowed by him. In the past, he was a troublemaker, always tripping and talking excessively. However, now it is his father who seems to be struggling to keep up with him and cannot leave him alone.

The son now reflects on his father's greatness as their roles have reversed and his father

has become fragile. On the other hand, "Digging" portrays the speaker's admiration for his father in a different way. Instead of idealizing him, the poem acknowledges his father's strength and skill in handling a spade. It focuses more on the practicality of his talent rather than portraying it as a fine art like "Follower." The last four lines express the speaker's regret at not possessing the same skill as his father and being unable to carry on the tradition.

With the squat pen resting between his finger and thumb, the writer declares his intention to use it as his tool. Despite lacking the spade or skills of those who came before him, he possesses a special talent with his pen. Inspired by the legacy of his father and grandfather's work with their spades, he aims to do just as well with his pen.

The Follower is the poem that I found most enjoyable to read. Its intricate yet clever comparisons captivated me, leading me to discover various perspectives of the poem. The poet's focus on detail was exceptional, providing constant descriptions that allowed me to visualize each scene. The verses were also well-structured, seamlessly flowing into one another and creating an enjoyable reading experience.