Reading Notes W15: Heaney, Part A

Seamus Heaney, “Digging, Anahorish, Broagh…” (977-985)

Seamus Heaney:

·         Born 1939

·         Reached his maturity as a poet during the sectarian violence called the Troubles in his native northern Ireland

·         Has sharp awareness to history and conflict

·         He is a student of the Irish language and of Anglo-Saxon, also known as old English

·         “His verse, alive to historical resonances, explores the ethical commitments of the poet in a world of enduring conflicts” (977)

·         Born to a catholic family on a farm in County Derry, Northern Ireland

·         “Heaney addressed political concerns in his poetry, although often in an indirect fashion that was sometimes criticized for its lack of explicit commitment” (977).

The Time:

·         The late 1960’s were a period of intense violence in Northern Ireland, a majority Protestant region that had remained part of the United Kingdom when the rest of Ireland gained its Independence” (977).

·         Only some members of Catholic population supported the illegal Irish Republic. This is called the Nationalist position.

·         Protestant groups favored continued union with Britain and discriminated against the Catholics. Example: Ulster Volunteer Force. This is also called the Unionists.

·         “British police were generally perceived as supporting the Unionists, particularly in the Bloody Sunday massacre of 1972, when thirteen unarmed Catholic protestors were killed by British army forces.” (977).

·         Seems to be a time of religious fights/arguments.

·         However, a lot of his poems connect to the author’s youth.

Quotes:

·         From “Digging”: “Till his straining rump among the flowerbeds bends low, comes up twenty years away stooping in rhythm through potato drills where he was digging” (979). Talking about where the author’s father farmed. This is a good example of Imagery.

·         From “punishment”: “who would connive in civilized outrage yet understand the exact and tribal, intimate revenge.” (983). Talking about an adulteress who was drowned for adultery. Maybe he is stating that it is not right? History-wise: has to do with sacrificial slaughter in the Iron Age Society. Comparing the troubles of Northern Ireland with primitive violence. Basically, stating that it is not as different or even just similar in a way.

·         From “The Guttural Muse”: “A girl in a white dress was being courted out among the cars: As her voice swarmed and puddled into laughs I felt like some old pike all badged with sores wanting to swim in touch with soft-mouthed life” (985). He is feeling old compared to the young. Maybe misses being young? Definitely a poem connected to age and youth.