Identify and Explain Key Quotations in 'Climbing My Grandfather'

Ready to see how to find and explain key quotes in the poem 'Climbing My Grandfather'? Then open your anthology and let's get started!

Here's a quick recap of the poem: 

'Climbing My Grandfather', written by Andrew Waterhouse, uses extended metaphor as its main device. The speaker 'climbs' his grandfather, getting to know him better.

This is, perhaps, a nostalgic poem about an imposing grandfather and childhood memories. Waterhouse uses imagery and symbolism of mountaineering to showcase a close relationship between the speaker and his grandfather.

This activity should help you revise some key quotes and deepen your understanding of the poem. In the following questions, you'll be given a quote from the poem, and you'll be asked to identify the poet's meaning/s behind the quote.

It may be useful to write the quotes down as you do this exercise, so you can remember them later! You might also take note of some of the teacher's explanations, as they highlight important points you will want to keep in mind for the exam.

You should always refer to your own text when working through these examples.  These quotations are for reference only.