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Read the following poem by Seamus Heaney from his collection, Door into the Dark, and answer either Question 1 or Question 2 which follow - Leaving Cert English - Question 1 - 2014
Question 1
Read the following poem by Seamus Heaney from his collection, Door into the Dark, and answer either Question 1 or Question 2 which follow. The Peninsula When you h... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Read the following poem by Seamus Heaney from his collection, Door into the Dark, and answer either Question 1 or Question 2 which follow - Leaving Cert English - Question 1 - 2014
Step 1
In the above poem Seamus Heaney recommends driving 'all round the peninsula'. Based on your reading of the poem, explain why you think the poet recommends undertaking such a journey.
Answer
The recommendation to 'drive all round the peninsula' suggests a journey that offers both introspection and exploration. Heaney paints a picture of the physical landscape as a metaphor for personal journeying. Driving symbolizes a search for understanding, where the 'land without marks' indicates a departure from the expected or familiar. This disorientation is pivotal; it allows one to engage with the essence of the surroundings, inviting the traveler to reconnect with both nature and self.
The poem's imagery, especially when addressing the dusk and the blending of horizons, illustrates that this journey is not merely about the destination but the experiences along the way. In navigating through uncertainties, the poet implies that one might find a deeper connection to their thoughts and emotions, as shown in the later lines about recalling the 'glazed foreshore' and 'silhouetted log.' The act of driving inherently becomes a metaphor for pushing through silence and achieving clarity in expression.
Step 2
Choose two images from the poem that appeal to you and explain your choice.
Answer
One striking image is 'the ploughed field swallows the whitewashed gable'. This image resonates because it suggests the overwhelming force of nature reclaiming man-made structures. The vivid contrast between the earthiness of the ploughed field and the purity of the whitewashed gable portrays a moment of vulnerability, where the permanence of human efforts is challenged by the natural world.
Another powerful image is 'Islands riding themselves out into the fog.' This evokes a sense of isolation but also an inherent beauty in solitude. The islands suggest freedom, yet the fog creates a mysterious aura, indicating that there are unknowns in both the journey and life's explorations. Together, these images elucidate the tension between humanity and nature, making them profound representations of the themes in Heaney's poem.