How does Baxter convey a sense of admiration for his grandfather in "Elegy For My Father’s Father"?
In the poem Elegy For My Father’s Father, James K. Baxter conveys a sense of admiration for his grandfather, through describing his grandfather’s bitter memory that was never told to anyone, and describing his hard work and dedication to his family.
“His heart had never spoken” appeared 2 times in the poem, and it well described the life of the poet’s grandfather. He always kept his bitterness deep inside his heart without showing it to his family, not even his own son and his wife. When he was younger, he used to do a lot of things to earn money for his family—“He could slice and build", even though he was very short; He carried "a flowering cherry tree on his walking shoulder", even though the weather was very hot. He silently worked for his family without any complaints.
When the grandfather was very old, he sat by the kitchen fire by himself, alone. He was feeling dizzy and saw "The stars in their drunken dancing. He was dying, and he was thinking of his son. And this is how he was being a father’s father. He dedicated everything to his family, even at the last moment of his life.
In the final moment of his life, the grandpa’s heart was finally "unafraid" (to talk). He did not have to worry for his son and his family anymore. He relieves in death. This is a happy ending to the father, after so many suffering in his life.
In conclusion, Baxter conveys a sense of admiration for his grandfather’s dedications for his family through some small events in the memory of his grandfather.
