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"Climbing My Grandfather" by Andrew Waterhouse — Quiz Question Which of the following best captures the central conceit (extended metaphor) used in Andrew Waterhouse's poem "Climbing My Grandfather"?
AThe speaker envisions his grandfather as a majestic mountain that he physically climbs, using the features of his body as details of the landscape to explore their relationship.✓
BThe speaker reminisces about a childhood memory of hiking with his grandfather in the mountains.
CThe speaker likens his grandfather's life journey to a long and challenging road.
DThe speaker depicts observing his grandfather age like a deteriorating cliff face.
Rationale
In "Climbing My Grandfather," Waterhouse maintains an extended metaphor throughout the poem, portraying the grandfather's body as a mountain to be climbed — his boot represents a rock face, his hand serves as a ledge, and his face is a summit. This conceit allows the speaker to "explore" his grandfather with both intimacy and awe, expressing deep admiration and love without explicitly stating those feelings.
"Climbing My Grandfather" by Andrew Waterhouse — Quiz Question Which of the following best captures the central metaphor in Andrew Waterhouse's poem "Climbing My Grandfather"?
AThe speaker literally climbs a mountain to honour his grandfather's memory.
BThe speaker uses the act of free climbing a mountain as a metaphor for exploring his grandfather's body and character, both physically and emotionally.✓
CThe speaker compares his grandfather's death to a volcanic eruption.
DThe speaker imagines his grandfather as a great explorer scaling dangerous peaks.
Rationale
The poem serves as an extended metaphor in which the speaker "climbs" his grandfather like a mountain — starting from his boots and moving upward to his face — using tactile, geological imagery to delve into the grandfather's physical traits and the emotional closeness of their bond.