Outside History

Summary

Eavan Boland's "Outside History" is a profound exploration of the marginalisation of women in history and the disconnection between personal experiences and historical narratives. The poem weaves a complex tapestry of themes, including memory, history, and the overlooked role of women. Through her evocative language and imagery, Boland critiques the traditional recording of history that often excludes the female perspective.

---

Introduction to the Theme

The poem opens with a contemplative tone, setting the scene with celestial imagery. Boland writes,

"These are outsiders, always. These stars—"

introducing the concept of being outside the mainstream historical narrative.

---

Historical and Personal Disconnect

The poem emphasises the vast gap between personal suffering and the grand sweep of history. The lines poignantly illustrate this,

"whose light happened / thousands of years before / our pain did"

suggesting a disconnect between the universal and the individual.

---

Marginalisation of Women

Boland brings attention to the exclusion of women from historical records. She states,

"they are, they have always been / outside history"

highlighting how women's experiences have been systematically overlooked.

---

The juxtaposition of Personal and Historical

Boland skillfully juxtaposes the intimate human experience against the backdrop of history. The lines,

"a place where you found / you were human"

emphasise this contrast between individual realisation and historical settings.

---

Key Images

---

Stars as Historical Observers

The stars symbolise the enduring nature of history, ever-present yet distant. Boland uses them as a metaphor for historical events' continuous, yet often impersonal, nature.

---

The Irish Landscape

The imagery of "an Irish January" roots the poem in Boland's cultural background, bringing a tangible sense of place to the abstract concept of history.

---

Human Experiences

The poem contrasts the grandeur of history with more personal, human elements. Boland's use of phrases like "you were human" brings a deeply personal dimension to the universal narrative of history.

---

Form and Structure

---

Free Verse Form

The poem's free verse structure reflects its thematic fluidity, echoing the non-linear, often fragmented nature of memory and historical narrative. This form is particularly apt for exploring the marginalised narratives of women in history.

---

Enjambment for Continuity

Boland employs enjambment throughout, as seen in the transition between lines 1 and 2, creating a seamless flow that mirrors the unending march of history and the intertwining of personal and historical experiences.

---

Reflective Tone and Mood

The poem's tone is contemplative and somewhat sombre, reflecting on the exclusion and loss of women's experiences from the historical record. This mood is emphasised in the lines, "They keep their distance. Under them remains / a place where you found / you were human".

---

Imagery and Symbolism

The poem's imagery, particularly of the natural world and the stars, symbolises history's vast and impartial nature. The contrast between these grand images and the human aspects of the poem, as in "And a time to choose between them", underscores the theme of historical exclusion.

---

Themes

---

Marginalisation of Women in History

Boland explores the recurrent theme of women's exclusion from historical narratives. The poem underscores the invisibility of women's experiences and contributions.

"These are outsiders, always. These stars—"

This metaphorically aligns women with stars, distant and often overlooked in the grand scheme of history.

---

Juxtaposition of Personal Experience and Historical Narrative

Boland contrasts personal, often feminine, experiences with history's broader, impersonal sweep.

"thousands of years before / our pain did; they are they have always been / outside history."

This highlights the dissonance between the universal, historical events and individual suffering, particularly women.

---

Temporal and Spatial Dislocation

The poem reflects on the disconnection between past and present and the different places where history unfolds.

"a landscape in which you know you are mortal",

Suggests a specific setting that contrasts with the vastness of history and human mortality.

---

Style and Language Techniques

---

Symbolism

Boland frequently uses symbols to convey complex themes. Stars symbolise both the constancy of history and women's distant, often overlooked experiences.

The opening line, "These are outsiders, always. These stars—",

Uses stars as a symbol for the overlooked aspects of history, particularly women's stories.

---

Imagery

Boland's rich imagery brings depth to her exploration of history and memory.

darkness is / only now reaching me from those fields, / those rivers, those roads clotted as / firmaments with the dead

vividly depicts the harshness of the landscape, intertwining it with the morbid imagery of the sky.

---

Contrast and Juxtaposition

Boland often places contrasting ideas side by side to highlight their differences and to emphasise her themes.

"And a time to choose between them.",

Juxtaposes personal choices against the backdrop of historical forces.

---

Mood and Atmosphere

---

Reflective and Contemplative

The poem's mood is reflective, inviting readers to ponder on the themes of history and the marginalisation of women.

"a place where you found / you were human"

evokes a sense of introspection about one's place in history.

---

Melancholic and Longing

There is a sense of melancholy and longing for recognition and inclusion in the historical narrative.

"outside history"

Reflects a sense of loss and yearning for inclusion.

---

Isolation and Distance

The poem's atmosphere is isolated and distant, mirroring the separation between personal experiences and the historical record. The reference to stars and the

"iron inklings of an Irish January"

creates a cold, distant atmosphere that parallels the theme of exclusion.

---

Ethereal and Mysterious

The poem has an ethereal, almost mysterious quality as it delves into history's often unseen and unrecorded aspects.

"These are outsiders, always. These stars—"

Presents a mystical element, inviting readers to contemplate history's unknown or hidden facets.

---

"Outside History" by Eavan Boland is a deeply evocative poem that blends rich imagery, symbolism, and metaphoric language to explore significant themes like the marginalisation of women in history, the juxtaposition of personal experiences against historical narratives, and the dislocation across time and space. The poem's reflective and contemplative mood, underscored by melancholy, isolation, and mystery, invites readers to ponder the complexities of history and memory. Boland's masterful use of language and stylistic devices enhances the depth and resonance of these themes, making "Outside History" a poignant and thought-provoking piece.