Structure and Poetic Techniques

Structure

Stanza Form:

• The poem is composed of seven tercets (three-line stanzas) followed by a final single line.
• The controlled, steady structure mirrors the speaker's restraint and emotional numbness in the face of tragedy.
• The final standalone line breaks the pattern, drawing attention to the devastating conclusion: "A four-foot box, a foot for every year."

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Poetic Techniques

1. Free Verse:

• The poem does not follow a strict rhyme scheme, reflecting the unpredictability of grief and loss.
• The absence of rhyme creates a natural, conversational tone, making the poem feel more personal and real.

2. Enjambment:

• Many lines flow into the next without punctuation, such as: "I sat all morning in the college sick bay / Counting bells knelling classes to a close."
• This mimics the speaker's stream of consciousness as he processes the events without complete comprehension.
• It also creates a sense of momentum, leading towards the inevitable moment of facing his brother's death.

3. Contrast:

• Heaney contrasts childhood innocence with the harsh reality of death, such as:
  • The baby is cooing and laughing, whereas the father is crying.
  • The calm, sleeping-like image of the dead child versus the violence of the accident.
• This contrast makes the emotions more striking, showing how death shatters normal expectations.

4. Alliteration:

• Subtle alliteration creates rhythm and emphasis, e.g.:
  • "Counting bells knelling classes to a close." (C/K sounds mimic the tolling of bells, reinforcing the funeral atmosphere.)
  • "Four-foot box, a foot for every year." (Repetition of 'f' sounds creates a measured, final tone, mirroring the tragedy.)

5. Tone Shift:

• The poem begins with detachment as the speaker waits at school, unaware of the situation.
• The middle stanzas show growing emotional weight as he observes the reactions of family members.
• The final stanza and single line deliver the full emotional impact, shifting to shock and grief with stark simplicity.