The ways in which Heany presents either families or children Essay Example

words such as 'pitched' and by quoting him using unsentimental language such as 'scraggy wee shits'.

The tone of the words in this passage is influenced by the punctuation and the casual approach taken. The reader is not intended to feel pity, but instead to accept the situation, which is similar to Heany's personal experience. The usage of the child's perspective in Heany's poem portrays him as helpless and pure. The initial stanza lacks sentimentality, however, the following stanza emphasizes emotions through the sibilance of "soft paws scraping," highlighting the vulnerability of animals through sound.

Despite being a child, Heany appears aloof and indifferent when he uses the phrase 'tiny din', followed by a line break and 'soon soused' and 'slung', all of which convey disconnectedness. The perspective of Dan is then portrayed in the poem, wherein it is suggested that the killing of kittens might be in their best interest. This particular viewpoint is expected to contrast with the majority's stance, which is why Heany decided to include it.

'Bobbing', 'shining', and 'wet gloves' are all charmingly unusual descriptions of deceased animals that evoke a sense of innocence through Heany's childlike perspective. The simplicity of the image is reminiscent of childhood activities like 'bobbing for apples', which could imply that Heany did not fully understand the gravity of death when he was a child. The lifeless kittens are efficiently removed, with no sentimentality, and described as 'glossy and dead'.

The combination of words used in this description is atypical. The third stanza brings in the anticipated feeling of fear, with the phrase 'suddenly frightened.' Heany portrays the child as vulnerable and innocent by evoking the emotion

of a child. In the next line, he utilizes enjambment to create a 'hanging' feel, ending with the words 'sadly hung.' Despite being dehumanized 'remains,' Heany uses conflicting adjectives such as 'sogged' and 'mealy and crisp' to depict them.

The smell and texture of these things create an unpleasant sensation, suggesting decay. The sentimentality abruptly ends when Heany remarks that he forgot them, highlighting children's difficulty in comprehending their impact and appearing unharmed. However, Heany returns to portraying children's helplessness with "the fear came back" and the shocking words "trapped", "snared" and "shot". Though he separates himself from Dan's actions, he seems to empathise with the animals as seen by his use of phrases such as "sickening tug" and "pulled".

As a child, Heany was not very sensitive to the plight of animals, but later in life he changed his perspective to become more empathetic. In the sixth stanza, he indicates a turning point in his opinion by using the word 'still' to express that he never truly accepted killing 'pests' as right. However, he realizes that living displaces false sentiments and that it is the most convenient way of life. The contrast between the words 'sentiments' and 'sense' highlights the difference between a child's view and an adult's.

The speaker reflects on his childhood and how he now views it with amusement, as his younger self was naive. As he describes the animals as "shrill," he creates a disturbing image. He appears unfeeling towards them, prodding them casually with a simple shrug. He even quotes his own emotionally detached words, "bloody pups," dismissing his former sentimental attachment to the animals. In the final

stanza, Heany emphasizes the naturalness of death and the significance of running a farm efficiently, which counters society's overly sentimental view towards animals.

Within his writing, Heany displays his disdain and critical perspective towards individuals for their failure to comprehend alternative lifestyles. His poem concludes with a candid, mature observation regarding the management of pests on a properly maintained farm. This straightforward assertion is entirely logical. Throughout the piece, Heany employs a continual blend and juxtaposition of the ordinary and unsettling. The author depicts children as pure and tender-hearted.

Through the skillful application of contrasting vocabulary and a consistent rhythm, the poet achieves a sense of equilibrium that facilitates comprehension concerning the evolution of attitudes amidst changing perspectives. Heaney's poetic repertoire encompasses a plethora of childhood incidents. One of which, is the loss of his younger brother in an accident when he was 14 years old. As an adult, he recalled this traumatic event in his poem 'Mid-Term Break' which depicts the funeral of his brother.

The poem examines his reaction to death and the people around him during his childhood. The first stanza is detailed and creates an expectation, revealing that Heany's childhood is the subject matter. The specifics of his sitting and the time of day, two o'clock, are descriptive but devoid of emotional expression. Consequently, we can infer that the young boy feels isolated and perplexed after experiencing such a tragedy.

In his description of the school bell, Heany uses the term 'knelling' which carries the connotation of church bells tolling at a funeral, establishing a theme of death. Additionally, the repetition of the 'c' sound in the second line generates the sense of

monotony and counting. Despite this ominous start, Heany portrays a sense of community among his family, friends, and neighbors, as evidenced by the phrase 'our neighbors drove me home.' However, Heany himself seems detached from this community, as he delivers his descriptions without much feeling. The poem then turns its focus to Heany's father, who is introduced in a somewhat distant manner as Heany says he 'met' him, distancing himself further. The sudden phrase 'my father crying -' comes as a shock not only to Heany but also to the reader, given that previous poems such as 'Digging' and 'Follower' have portrayed Heany's father as strong and unbreakable.

The fragmentation and sudden realization that Heany must depend on his own resilience, rather than that of his parents, is evident in the punctuation. This notion can be challenging for a child to acknowledge, and at the age of fourteen, Heany was expected to manage his grief without full support. Heany then depicts those who surround him. Although well-intentioned, the phrase 'a hard blow' seems to diminish the gravity of the situation and further isolate him.

The baby's "cooing and laughing" amidst reactions to death may appear odd, but it is oblivious, being a mere infant. Heany confesses to being "embarrassed," a distant emotion that fails to indicate his true feelings. He is embarrassed because he is suddenly being treated like a man, with people "standing up to shake his hand." This recognition is unfamiliar and bizarre. Heany portrays children as grown-ups, underscoring the challenge of assuming accountability and no longer depending entirely on one's parents' power.

Employing a stream-of-consciousness style and maintaining a conversational tone throughout, the speaker

avoids expressing any personal feelings regarding the death. The phrase 'Whispers informed strangers' further distances the speaker, making them feel as though they are being discussed behind their back. The stanza ends with deliberate enjambment as the speaker mentions their mother holding their hand.

In a room full of strangers, holding hands can create a sense of warmth and security. Such a nurturing gesture establishes a bond between Heany and his mother, who are both going through a challenging time. It emphasizes how Heany is expected to be mature and supportive of his mother, even as she supports him. He observes others in the room who react with involuntary actions like "coughed out angry tearless sighs," revealing their resentment.

It is likely that most individuals can detect the immense sorrow conveyed by such actions. Throughout the poem, Heany maintains a certain level of detachment and does not convey any emotional response. By providing specific details, such as the time 'at 10 o'clock', he separates himself and the reader from the actual events. When his brother is brought to the house, Heany uses clinical language such as 'corpse', 'stanched', and 'bandaged' to describe the scene, which fails to provide insight into his emotional state.

It is common for children to react oddly to death, but Heany coped by distancing himself. The precision of time and the use of 'next morning' at the beginning of the sixth stanza creates a news report-like feel. 'Snowdrops' and 'candles' are symbols associated with new life, contrasting the theme of death. The image of peace and white is in stark contrast to the gory connotation that death carries. The sentence 'I saw him' signals

Heany's willingness to disclose his memories and be more transparent with his feelings.

In the poem, Heany's vivid description of 'a poppy bruise' lingers in his memory due to its association with Remembrance Day and the suffering his brother endured. The contrast between the size of the 'four foot box' and his brother's 'cot' is jarring and unsettling, as it emphasizes how small his brother was and the contrast between a peaceful, comfortable cot and a coffin. Heany's use of the word 'gaudy' seems out of place when describing death, but manages to convey the seriousness of the situation with the simple word 'knocked'. Finally, the last line of the poem stands out as a significant statement.

The pathos in the last stanza captures the detachment Heany has presented throughout the poem, despite the regular three line stanzas. He employs visual imagery and symbols to depict children and family, revealing both the bond and total isolation in the wake of tragedy. Heaney's portrayal of children is complex, affirming their significance. 'The Early Purges' and 'Mid-Term Break' showcase starkly different reactions to death.

Heany has presented two similar themes in a distinct manner, expressing ideas, attitudes and experiences in a detailed and reflective manner. While 'The Early Purges' focuses on children's innocence, 'Mid-Term Break' highlights their responsibility and adaptability in different situations. Heany has employed highly impactful techniques in his poetry that make it compelling and emotionally stirring for me.