Climbing (Symbol)
While climbing functions in the poem as a specific metaphor for growing older, the sport of climbing itself also symbolizes the tenacity of the human body and spirit. Spectators who aren't involved in the sport may wonder what the point is: why would a person work so hard just to summit a rock? The answer can be different for everyone, but often involves a combination of focus, discipline, risk, and reward. Pushing and risking one's body helps create resilience, an essential quality for dealing with life's challenges.
Brogues (Symbol)
Brogues are a practical and dependable type of shoe originally worn by farmers. According to the website London Brogues, these shoes were designed for utility: the perforated holes in the front would drain water as the farmers worked and walked over wet terrain. In the poem, they symbolize an intimacy with the natural world. The grandfather likely worked or spent a great deal of time outdoors, as evidenced by his shoes and his earth-stained hand. The fact that the grandfather's brogues are cracked and covered with dust suggests that he has had them for a long time. This shows the grandfather to be as sensible, practical, and down-to-earth as the shoes he wears.
The Scar (Symbol)
While scaling his grandfather, the speaker comes across a “glassy ridge of a scar” located on the old man’s arm. The scar metaphorically provides balance and stability as the speaker delicately gains a foothold in the stitches. No context is given as to how the grandfather got the scar, so this scar symbolizes all of the grandfather's wounds and pains over the course of his life. The speaker may not be aware of everything that happened in his grandfather's life, but he treats his grandfather respectfully and with reverence.
