To confidently answer an essay question on any poem it is vital that you understand what it is about. This section includes:
- The poem in a nutshell
- A “translation” of the poem, section-by-section
- A commentary of each of these sections, outlining Joanna Baillie’s intention and message
'A Child to his Sick Grandfather' in a nutshell
'A Child to his Sick Grandfather', written by the poet Joanna Baillie, explores family relationships by presenting a child’s emotions towards their grandfather. The poem also examines changes and loss within loving relationships.
'A Child to his Sick Grandfather' breakdown
Lines 1–6
“Grand-dad, they say you’re old and frail,
Your stocked legs begin to fail:
Your knobbed stick (that was my horse)
Can scarce support your bended corse,
While back to wall, you lean so sad,
I’m vexed to see you, dad.”
Translation
- The first stanza begins with a form of direct address to the speaker’s grandfather
- The speaker relates to the grandfather that people say he is old and weak (“frail”)
- The grandfather’s legs are “stocked” (implying swollen) and he needs a walking stick:
- The child’s voice is noticeable here as they refer to pretending the stick is a horse
- The speaker says the old man leans against the wall sadly and has a bent body (“corse” may allude to the word “corpse”)
- This upset (“vexed”) the speaker
Baillie’s intention
- Baillie’s poem is a personal and intimate address from a child to their grandfather
- The poet emphasises the grandfather’s age and fragility to present ideas about changes in life that affect relationships
Lines 7–12
“You used to smile and stroke my head,
And tell me how good children did;
But now, I wot not how it be,
You take me seldom on your knee,
Yet ne’ertheless I am right glad,
To sit beside you, dad.”
Translation
- The child recalls when the grandfather was able to comfort them
- They imply the grandfather used to teach them things on his “knee” and that they miss those moments now he is old
- The speaker adds, though, that they are happy enough to just sit with them
- The colloquial term of address, “dad”, still refers to the grandfather
Baillie’s intention
- Baillie adds a nostalgic tone to the poem as the child remembers the guidance their grandfather was able to provide
- This reverses the roles and presents ideas about changes in family relationships
- The speaker’s colloquial language creates an informal, more intimate mood, and emphasises the speaker’s innocence
Lines 13–18
“How lank and thin your beard hangs down!
Scant are the white hairs on your crown;
How wan and hollow are your cheeks!
Your brow is rough with crossing breaks;
But yet, for all his strength be fled,
I love my own old dad.”
Translation
- These lines describe the grandfather’s thin (“lank”) beard and hair
- The speaker continues, describing how pale (“wan”) his cheeks are and how wrinkled (“rough” and “crossing”) his forehead is
- Yet, the speaker says, even though their grandfather’s strength has left him (“fled”), they still love him
Baillie’s intention
- These exclamatory lines show the speaker’s dismay at their grandfather’s changed condition
- This conveys ideas about the inevitability of change and the impact of time:
- Baillie contrasts the grandfather’s former “strength” to highlight his changed state
- The last line, a refrain, confirms the speaker’s never-ending devotion
Lines 19–24
“The housewives round their potions brew,
And gossips come to ask for you;
And for your weal each neighbour cares,
And good men kneel, and say their prayers;
And everybody looks so sad,
When you are ailing, dad.”
Translation
- The speaker tells the grandfather how much the people in the community care for him
- They say that the women speak of him as they “brew” their “potions”
- The “gossips” ask for news, and his neighbours really care about his well-being
- The speaker relates the general concern in the town as men pray for him and everyone is sad that he is sick (“ailing”)
Baillie’s intention
- Baillie alludes to the town’s respect for the old man as he seems to be loved by all:
- This may be seen as a tribute to age and wisdom
- The child’s kind, comforting words convey the affection between child and grandfather
Lines 25–30
“You will not die and leave us then?
Rouse up and be our dad again.
When you are quiet and laid in bed,
We’ll doff our shoes and softly tread;
And when you wake we’ll aye be near
To fill old dad his cheer.”
Translation
- These lines address the grandfather directly as the child asks him not to die
- The speaker instructs the old man to stand (“Rouse up”) and take back his position in the family
- This changes to a softer tone as the speaker says everyone will take off their shoes and be sure to “tread” quietly when he rests
- Once the grandfather wakes up they will all be there to cheer him up
Baillie’s intention
- The child’s desperation is portrayed here as their voice takes on urgency
- However, this is immediately juxtaposed with the gentle reassurance that they will allow the grandfather to rest and be sure to be there when he awakes
- The speaker’s commitment to the grandfather’s care presents devoted family love
Lines 31–36
“When through the house you shift your stand,
I’ll lead you kindly by the hand;
When dinner’s set I’ll with you bide,
And aye be serving at your side;
And when the weary fire turns blue,
I’ll sit and talk with you.”
Translation
- The speaker’s reassuring care extends to guiding the grandfather carefully around the house when they tire or stumble (“shift your stand”)
- They will also sit with them while they eat dinner and serve them at their side
- They will talk with the grandfather until the fire goes out
Baillie’s intention
- The child is determined to reassure their grandfather of their constant attention
- Baillie portrays a tender and loving family relationship where the elderly are loved and cared for
Lines 37–42
“I have a tale both long and good,
About a partlet and her brood,
And cunning greedy fox that stole
By dead of midnight through a hole,
Which slyly to the hen-roost led –
You love a story, dad?”
Translation
- The speaker says they can tell the grandfather a story that is long and interesting
- They have a story about a hen and her chicks (“partlet and her brood”) and a sly fox who creeps through a hole in the middle of the night to get to the hens
- The last line asks the grandfather if this will entertain him
Baillie’s intention
- Baillie’s innocent child speaker portrays an intimate relationship, which powerfully conveys the profound love the child has for their grandfather:
- The child seems determined to please him (and perhaps keep him awake) with an exciting story
Line 43–48
“And then I have a wondrous tale
Of men all clad in coats of mail,
With glittering swords – you nod, I think?
Your fixed eyes begin to wink;
Down on your bosom sinks your head –
You do not hear me, dad.”
Translation
- The speaker adds that they have a wonderful story about knights in armour (“coats of mail”) with bright swords
- At this, the speaker thinks the grandfather responds with a nod but they are not sure
- The grandfather’s “fixed” stare appears to change to a “wink”
- But then the old man’s head drops to his chest (“bosom”) and the speaker checks if he is still awake
Baillie’s intention
- Baillie’s poem ends rather abruptly to portray the child’s experience as the grandfather suddenly falls asleep in the middle of the conversation
- The poem’s ambiguous ending is chilling:
- It is unclear if the old man has fallen asleep or if this is the moment of his death
- The sad moment is juxtaposed with the child’s innocent exuberance to highlight the differences between the young child and the old man