A Disused Shed in Co. Wexford

Summary of "A Disused Shed in Co. Wexford" by Derek Mahon

"A Disused Shed in Co. Wexford" by Derek Mahon is a deeply reflective poem that explores themes of memory, neglect, and the forgotten souls of history through the extended metaphor of mushrooms growing in an abandoned shed.

The poem begins with an epigraph from the Greek poet Seferis, which sets the tone for remembrance: "Let them not forget us, the weak souls among the asphodels." This sets the stage for the poem's exploration of forgotten lives.

The first stanza introduces various abandoned places where thoughts and memories might linger, such as Peruvian mines and Indian compounds. These locations are described in terms of decay and stillness, with phrases like "a slow clock of condensation" and "an echo trapped forever." The imagery paints a picture of desolation and neglect.

The poem then focuses on the disused shed in Wexford. The shed is depicted as a place of decay, filled with wildflowers and remnants of past lives. The mushrooms inside the shed symbolize forgotten and oppressed people. They are described as huddling around a keyhole, suggesting their longing for light and the outside world.

As the poem progresses, Mahon reflects on the historical context that led to the abandonment. The reference to "civil war days" and the "expropriated mycologist" who never returned hints at historical upheaval and the lasting impact of conflict. The shed, filled with the smell of decay and silent suffering, becomes a symbol of forgotten history.

The poem also vividly describes the mushrooms' environment, including "vegetable sweat" and "spiders have spun, flies dusted to mildew." This imagery emphasizes the passage of time and the enduring neglect these beings have faced.

In the latter part of the poem, the mushrooms are described as lifting their heads "in gravity and good faith," symbolizing a silent plea for recognition and remembrance. They are depicted as begging for someone to acknowledge their existence and not let their struggles be in vain.

The poem ends with a powerful appeal to the reader, invoking the lost people of Treblinka and Pompeii as symbols of historical suffering. The final lines urge the reader to ensure that the forgotten are not abandoned again and that their lives and efforts are remembered and valued.

Overall, "A Disused Shed in Co. Wexford" is a poignant meditation on the forgotten and marginalized people throughout history. Through rich imagery and reflective tone, Mahon invites the reader to consider the silent suffering of those who have been neglected and the importance of remembering and honouring their lives.

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Themes Analysis

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The Plight of the Forgotten:

One of the poem's central themes is the suffering and neglect of forgotten people throughout history. Mahon uses the mushrooms in the disused shed as a powerful metaphor for these marginalised and overlooked individuals.

Quote: "Let the god not abandon us / who have come so far in darkness and in pain. / We too had our lives to live."

This plea from the mushrooms symbolises the desperate call of forgotten people for recognition and remembrance. It underscores the human desire to be remembered and valued, despite the passage of time and the neglect they have endured. The theme is significant as it draws attention to those left behind by history, urging the reader to acknowledge their existence and struggles.

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History's Outsiders:

The poem also explores the theme of those who exist on the fringes of history, overlooked and marginalised by society.

Quote: "They have been waiting for us in a foetor / of vegetable sweat since civil war days."

This quote emphasises the long-term neglect of these forgotten beings, linking their suffering to historical events such as civil wars. The use of "vegetable sweat" to describe the shed's atmosphere suggests a lingering, unpleasant presence that has been ignored for too long. The theme highlights the persistence of neglect and the importance of remembering those pushed to the edges of history.

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Silence and Suffering:

The poem conveys a sense of silent suffering endured by the forgotten, who wait patiently for recognition.

Quote: "With the world waltzing in its bowl of cloud, / They have learnt patience and silence / Listening to the rooks querulous in the high wood."

This imagery contrasts the lively world outside with the silent, patient endurance of the mushrooms inside the shed. The theme of silence and suffering is developed through the depiction of the mushrooms' environment, filled with decay and neglect. It is significant because it reminds the reader of the quiet pain experienced by those who are forgotten, emphasising the need for empathy and remembrance.

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Memory and Remembrance:

Another key theme is the importance of memory and the act of remembering those who have been forgotten.

Quote: "'Save us, save us,' they seem to say, / 'Let the god not abandon us / Who have come so far in darkness and in pain.'"

This direct appeal highlights the theme of remembrance. The mushrooms' plea to not be abandoned again serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of keeping the memory of the forgotten alive. The theme is significant because it calls on the reader to take action, to remember, and to ensure that the lives and struggles of these marginalised individuals are not in vain.

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Imagery Analysis

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Abandoned Places:

Mahon begins by describing various neglected and desolate locations to set the tone of the poem.

Quote: "Peruvian mines, worked out and abandoned / To a slow clock of condensation, / An echo trapped for ever."

This image of the abandoned Peruvian mines, filled with condensation, evokes a sense of timeless neglect and decay. The "slow clock of condensation" and "echo trapped forever" suggest a place where time has almost stopped, emphasising the forgotten nature of these places. This image sets up the central theme of abandonment and forgotten histories.

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The Disused Shed:

The disused shed in Co. Wexford becomes a focal point, filled with forgotten and decaying elements.

Quote: "Lime crevices behind rippling rain barrels, / Dog corners for bone burials; / And in a disused shed in Co. Wexford."

This imagery of lime crevices and rain barrels conveys the physical decay and abandonment within the shed. The mention of "dog corners for bone burials" adds a macabre touch, suggesting that the shed is a place of forgotten and hidden deaths. This central image represents the neglected and marginalised people symbolised by the mushrooms.

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The Mushrooms:

The mushrooms inside the shed symbolise the forgotten people huddled in their desolate environment.

Quote: "A thousand mushrooms crowd to a keyhole."

This striking image of mushrooms crowded around a keyhole conveys their longing for light and escape. The keyhole represents a small glimpse of hope and the outside world. The mushrooms, personified in their desperation, symbolise the forgotten people yearning for recognition and remembrance.

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Style Analysis

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Symbolism:

Mahon uses symbolism throughout the poem to convey deeper meanings and to highlight the plight of the forgotten.

Quote: "A thousand mushrooms crowd to a keyhole."

The mushrooms symbolise the forgotten and marginalised people throughout history. The keyhole represents the narrow window of hope and the possibility of recognition. This symbolism highlights the desperation and longing of the forgotten for acknowledgement and remembrance, reinforcing the poem's central themes.

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Direct Speech:

The use of direct speech gives a voice to the voiceless, making their plea more immediate and poignant.

Quote: "'Save us, save us,' they seem to say, / 'Let the god not abandon us / Who have come so far in darkness and in pain.'"

This direct appeal from the mushrooms emphasises their desperation and urgent need for recognition. It makes their plight more tangible and relatable to the reader, enhancing the poem's emotional impact. The direct speech creates a sense of immediacy and involvement, urging the reader to empathise with the forgotten.

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Personification:

Mahon personifies the mushrooms to evoke empathy and to emphasise their suffering and hope.

Quote: "They lift frail heads in gravity and good faith."

By giving the mushrooms human-like qualities, Mahon evokes sympathy from the reader. The act of lifting "frail heads" suggests a silent, dignified plea for recognition and remembrance. This personification makes the plight of the forgotten more relatable, highlighting their enduring hope and silent suffering.

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Juxtaposition:

Mahon juxtaposes the vibrant, lively world outside with the stagnant, neglected world inside the shed.

Quote: "With the world waltzing in its bowl of cloud, / They have learnt patience and silence."

This juxtaposition highlights the contrast between the dynamic outside world and the static, forgotten interior of the shed. It underscores the world's indifference to the plight of the forgotten, enhancing the themes of neglect and abandonment. This contrast also emphasises the silent endurance and patience of the marginalised.

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Language Analysis

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Colloquial Language:

Mahon's use of colloquial language creates a conversational and accessible tone, making the poem more relatable to the reader.

Quote: "The pale flesh flaking."

This phrase humanises the mushrooms, intensifying the image of decay. The use of simple, straightforward language makes the mushrooms' suffering more immediate and tangible, enhancing the reader's empathy.

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Onomatopoeia:

Onomatopoeia is used to evoke sensory experiences and to draw attention to the physical environment of the shed.

Quote: "Groaning for their deliverance."

The word "groaning" mimics the sound of suffering, emphasising the mushrooms' ongoing pain and longing for release. This use of onomatopoeia enhances the emotional impact by making the reader almost hear the suffering.

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Assonance:

Assonance adds a musical quality to the poem and emphasises certain descriptions.

Quote: "The pale flesh flaking."

The repetition of the 'a' sound in "pale" and "flaking" creates a soft, almost whispering effect, which enhances the imagery of decay and fragility. This use of assonance draws attention to the mushrooms' delicate and deteriorating state.

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Historical and Literary References:

Mahon incorporates historical and literary references to deepen the context and connect the mushrooms' plight to broader historical suffering.

Quote: "Lost people of Treblinka and Pompeii!"

The reference to Treblinka (a Nazi concentration camp) and Pompeii (an ancient Roman city destroyed by a volcanic eruption) connects the suffering of the mushrooms to well-known historical tragedies. This broadens the poem's scope, linking the specific neglect in the shed to the universal theme of historical suffering and forgotten lives. It adds depth and resonance to the poem, making the reader consider the broader implications of neglect and remembrance.

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Summary of Key Elements

Key Theme:

The plight of the forgotten and marginalised people throughout history.

Quote: "Let the god not abandon us / who have come so far in darkness and in pain."

This quote underscores the desperate plea for recognition and remembrance by those who have been neglected and overlooked.

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Key Image:

Mushrooms crowded around a keyhole.

Quote: "A thousand mushrooms crowd to a keyhole."

This image symbolises the forgotten people huddled in despair, longing for light and recognition, highlighting their silent suffering and hope.

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Key Stylistic Device:

Symbolism.

Quote: "A thousand mushrooms crowd to a keyhole."

The mushrooms represent the marginalised and forgotten individuals, while the keyhole symbolises the narrow window of hope and possibility for acknowledgement.

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Key Language Device:

Onomatopoeia.

Quote: "Groaning for their deliverance."

The word "groaning" mimics the sound of suffering, emphasising the ongoing pain and longing for release experienced by the forgotten people.

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Key Quotes

1. "Let the god not abandon us / who have come so far in darkness and in pain."
2. "A thousand mushrooms crowd to a keyhole."
3. "With the world waltzing in its bowl of cloud, / They have learnt patience and silence."
4. "They have been waiting for us in a foetor / of vegetable sweat since civil war days."
5. "Only the ghost of a scream / At the flash-bulb firing-squad we wake them with / shows there is life yet in their feverish forms."
6. "'Save us, save us,' they seem to say."
7. "The pale flesh flaking."
8. "Groaning for their deliverance."
9. "Poor preparation for the cracking lock."

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Summary Table

Element	Details	Supporting Quotes
Themes	The plight of the forgotten: Explores the suffering and neglect of marginalised people.	"Let the god not abandon us / who have come so far in darkness and in pain."
	History's outsiders: Highlights those overlooked and marginalised by society.	"They have been waiting for us in a foetor / of vegetable sweat since civil war days."
	Silence and suffering: Conveys the silent endurance of the forgotten.	"With the world waltzing in its bowl of cloud, / They have learnt patience and silence."
	Memory and remembrance: Stresses the importance of remembering and honouring the forgotten.	"'Save us, save us,' they seem to say."
Images	Abandoned places: Depicts desolate locations filled with decay and neglect.	"Peruvian mines worked out and abandoned / To a slow clock of condensation, / An echo trapped forever."
	The disused shed: Symbolises neglect and abandonment.	"Lime crevices behind rippling rain barrels, / Dog corners for bone burials; / And in a disused shed in Co. Wexford."
	The mushrooms: Represent the forgotten people, huddling in their desolate environment.	"A thousand mushrooms crowd to a keyhole."
Stylistic Devices	Symbolism: Uses symbols to convey deeper meanings and represent the forgotten.	"A thousand mushrooms crowd to a keyhole."
	Direct speech: Gives voice to the voiceless, making their plea more immediate and poignant.	"'Save us, save us,' they seem to say, / 'Let the god not abandon us / Who have come so far in darkness and in pain.'"
	Personification: Evokes empathy by giving human-like qualities to the mushrooms.	"They lift frail heads in gravity and good faith."
	Juxtaposition: Contrasts the vibrant outside world with the neglected interior of the shed.	"With the world waltzing in its bowl of cloud, / They have learnt patience and silence."
Language Devices	Colloquial language: Creates a conversational and accessible tone.	"The pale flesh flaking."
	Onomatopoeia: Evokes sensory experiences, emphasising the ongoing suffering.	"Groaning for their deliverance."
	Assonance: Adds a musical quality and emphasises certain descriptions.	"The pale flesh flaking."
	Historical and literary references: Deepens the context and connects the plight of the mushrooms to broader historical suffering.	"Lost people of Treblinka and Pompeii!"

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