Poetry

Hallaig

Summary of the poem:

• "Hallaig" by Sorley MacLean is a poem that reflects on a village called Hallaig, which was abandoned during the Highland Clearances.
• MacLean evokes the past and a vibrant community displaced by the Clearances, lamenting and celebrating the way of life that once thrived there.
• The poem combines images of nature, people, and place and uses different tenses to explore change and permanence.

The inspiration for the poem:

• The poem is inspired by the Highland Clearances, a historical event that led to the displacement of people from their land and traditional way of life.
• MacLean's personal connection to Hallaig, his ancestors, and the place itself serves as a powerful source of inspiration.

The form of the poem:

• "Hallaig" takes the form of an epigram with fourteen regular verses.
• It features enjambment, which underscores the connection between people and nature.
• The poem's rhyme scheme is more evident in the Gaelic original, maintaining the flow and rhythm in the English translation.

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Poetry

Summary of each stanza:

Stanza 1:

The poem begins by introducing the central theme of time and its connection to Hallaig. MacLean describes time as a deer in the woods of Hallaig, symbolizing the fluid and ever-present nature of time. He also mentions a boarded window through which he used to see the West, indicating a sense of loss and closure. The presence of his love at the Burn of Hallaig, personified as a birch tree, establishes an emotional connection between the poet and the place.

Stanza 2:

MacLean continues to explore the concept of time by juxtaposing his memories of Hallaig with its current state. The birch tree, symbolizing his love and the essence of the place, is described as being between Inver and Milk Hollow. This imagery signifies the enduring connection between people and nature. The stanza sets the stage for a deeper reflection on the past and the poet's love for Hallaig.

Stanza 3:

In this stanza, MacLean portrays the descendants of Hallaig's people as a wood going up beside the stream. He compares them to trees, emphasizing their connection to the natural world. However, he expresses disappointment in the planted conifers, suggesting that they are not the beloved native trees he longs for. The idea of waiting for the birch wood highlights his hope for the revival of the traditional landscape.

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Poetry

Stanza 4:

MacLean introduces the possibility of returning to Hallaig if the birch wood does not appear. He speaks of Hallaig as a Sabbath of the dead, where every generation has gone. This reflects the impact of the Highland Clearances on the community, and MacLean's intention to preserve the memory of Hallaig and its people. He suggests that the dead have been seen alive, hinting at the power of memory and love to transcend time.

Stanza 5:

The poet vividly describes the people of Hallaig, particularly the girls, as a wood of birches with straight backs and bent heads. This image further reinforces the connection between the people and the native trees of the landscape. Their laughter and beauty are likened to a mist in MacLean's ears and a film on his heart, evoking a sense of nostalgia and longing.

Stanza 6:

The final stanza takes an unexpected turn as MacLean introduces the image of a vehement bullet from the gun of Love. This bullet is directed at the deer, which symbolizes time. MacLean's declaration to freeze time suggests his determination to immortalize Hallaig and its significance. The poem ends with a sense of defiance and a declaration that his blood will not be traced as long as he lives, emphasizing the enduring power of the poet's love and words. These stanzas collectively capture MacLean's complex emotions, ranging from nostalgia and loss to determination and love, all framed within the context of the Highland Clearances and the enduring connection between people and the natural world.

Themes

Highland Clearances

MacLean reflects on the tragedy of the Highland Clearances, where communities were uprooted, homes abandoned, and traditional ways of life lost. He expresses a sense of loss and longing for the past.

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Poetry

• Quote: "they are not the wood I love"
• Development: MacLean's disapproval of the planted conifers symbolizes his disappointment in the changes brought about by the Clearances.

Time and Love

The poem explores the concept of time as a living entity and its relationship with love. MacLean's love for Hallaig is so strong that it can transcend time and preserve the essence of the place and its people.

• Quote: "a vehement bullet will come from the gun of Love,"
• Development: MacLean's declaration to stop time with the "gun of Love" reflects his determination to immortalize Hallaig and its significance.

Images

Nature and People as Trees

MacLean uses imagery that likens the people of Hallaig to native trees. He compares their physical characteristics and postures, emphasizing the connection between people and place.

• Quote: "their daughters and their sons are a wood/ going up beside the stream"
• Development: The comparison of people to trees underscores their integration with the natural world and their importance to the landscape.

Boarded Window and Nailed Window

The boarded window to the West represents a sense of closure and the loss of hope and promise. In contrast, the nailed window suggests a final, irreversible end to an era.

• Quote: "the window is nailed and boarded/ through which I saw the West"
• Development: The symbolism of the windows reflects MacLean's emotional response to the physical state of Hallaig and his perception of time.

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Poetry

Style techniques

Enjambment

MacLean employs enjambment to create a continuous flow in the poem, emphasising the interconnectedness of people and nature. This technique reinforces the idea that they are part of the same ecosystem.

• Quote: "and she has always been/ between Inver and Milk Hollow"
• Point of Development: Enjambment connects the geographical locations and the people of Hallaig, emphasising their unity.

Oxymoron

MacLean uses oxymorons to create contrast and tension in the poem. He contrasts the physical present with his vision, as well as his mixed feelings of anger and love.

• Quote: "the dead have been seen alive/ in the dumb living twilight"
• Point of Development: The oxymoron "dumb living twilight" conveys the eerie and mystical quality of the place and its people.

Language techniques

Word Choice

MacLean's choice of words is simple and specific, grounding the poem in the real world. He uses place names and the names of notable individuals to make the poem deeply personal.

• Quote: "In Screappadal of my people/ Where Norman and Big Hector were"
• Point of Development: Specific names and places add authenticity and depth to the poem.

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Poetry

Adjectives

While the adjectives used in the poem are simple, they are highly evocative. They paint a vivid picture of the physical and emotional landscape.

• Quote: "a straight, slender young rowan"
• Point of Development: The adjectives enhance the sensory experience of the reader, immersing them in the setting and emotions of the poem.

Personal Reflection

1. How does MacLean's use of the deer as a symbol for time influence your understanding of the poem, and what emotions does it evoke in you?

2. In what ways does "Hallaig" challenge your perspective on the relationship between people, nature, and the passage of time, and how might this influence your view of the world?

3. How do the poem's imagery and language techniques make you reconsider the effects of historical events on communities and landscapes?