The Black Lace Fan My Mother Gave Me

Summary

Eavan Boland's "The Black Lace Fan My Mother Gave Me" is a poignant poem that explores themes of love, memory, and the legacy of the past. The poem revolves around a black lace fan, a memento from the speaker's mother, which becomes a symbolic link to a story of love and a moment in time.

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Contextual Introduction

The poem opens by setting the scene in pre-war Paris, where the speaker's parents' love story begins. The fan is introduced as a gift from the speaker's father to her mother, purchased in the Galeries Lafayette.

"It was the first gift he ever gave her, / buying it for five francs in the Galeries / in pre-war Paris" (lines 1-3).

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Historical Backdrop and Love Story

Boland weaves a narrative that places a personal love story against the backdrop of impending war, adding depth and poignancy to the narrative.

"in pre-war Paris. It was stifling. / A starless drought made the nights stormy." (lines 3-4).

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Symbolism of the Fan

The fan becomes a symbol of romance, a remnant of a moment in time, and a connection to the past. It embodies the enduring nature of love and memory.

"The blackbird on this first sultry morning / in summer finding buds, worms, fruit / feels the heat. Suddenly she puts out her wing – / the whole, full, flirtatious span of it." (lines 25-28).

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Key Images

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The Fan as a Symbol

The black lace fan symbolises romance, memory, and the complexities of relationships. It is a physical object and a repository of memories and emotions.

"These are wild roses appliquéd on silk by hand / darkly picked, stitched boldly, quickly." (lines 13-14).

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Imagery of Heat and Storm

The poem uses the imagery of a stifling summer in Paris to parallel the intensity of the love story and the looming war.

"It was stifling. / A starless drought made the nights stormy." (lines 3-4).

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Visual Descriptions of Paris

Boland's vivid description of the Paris setting adds a sense of place and time, enriching the narrative.

"The streets were emptying. The heat was killing.

She thought the distance smelled of rain and lightning." (lines 11-12)

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Nature and Birds

The imagery of birds and nature towards the end of the poem connects the fan's story to the natural world, suggesting a broader perspective on love and time.

"The blackbird on this first sultry morning / in summer finding buds, worms, fruit" (lines 25-26).

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Form and Structure

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Narrative Structure

The poem follows a narrative structure, telling a story that spans from the past to the present. It starts with the purchase of the fan and moves through a scene in Paris to the speaker's present reflections.

"It was the first gift he ever gave her" (line 1)

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Free Verse Form

Written in free verse, the poem lacks a rigid structure, allowing Boland to convey emotions and memories fluidly.

The free verse form mirrors the fluidity and unpredictability of memories and emotions associated with the fan.

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Enjambment and Flow

Boland uses enjambment throughout the poem, creating a sense of continuity and connection between the past and present. This is particularly evident between the fourth and fifth stanzas.

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Imagery and Symbolism

The poem is rich in imagery and symbolism, which Boland uses to layer meanings and deepen the emotional impact.

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"The past is an empty café terrace.

An airless dusk before thunder. A man running." (lines 21-22)

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Tone and Mood

The poem's tone is nostalgic and contemplative as Boland reflects on the significance of the fan in her mother's and her own lives.

The vivid imagery and contemplative tone set the mood, inviting readers to reflect on their memories and the objects that hold significance in their lives.

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Themes

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Memory and Inheritance

Boland explores the theme of memory, emphasising how objects like the fan serve as conduits to the past. The fan is not merely an heirloom but a vessel of personal and familial history. The poem's title directly introduces the fan as a symbol of maternal inheritance and memory.

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Love and Romance

The poem delves into the romantic origins of the fan, symbolising the love between the speaker's parents. This theme is intertwined with the broader context of time and memory.

"It was the first gift he ever gave her" (line 1),

Sets the stage for the exploration of a romantic past.

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Impact of War and Historical Context

Set against the backdrop of pre-war Paris, the poem subtly touches on the looming threat of war, which casts a shadow over the romantic narrative.

"in pre-war Paris. It was stifling. / A starless drought made the nights stormy." (lines 3-4),

These lines create a historical context that contrasts with the personal story.

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Nature and the Human Experience

Boland frequently references natural elements, connecting human emotions and experiences to the broader rhythms of nature.

"The blackbird on this first sultry morning / …

Suddenly she puts out her wing —

the whole, full, flirtatious span of it."

uses natural imagery to mirror human emotions.

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Style and Language Techniques

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Imagery

Boland employs vivid imagery to bring the narrative to life, showcasing a range of visuals that enhance the poem's themes.

"These are wild roses appliquéd on silk by hand" (line 13),

For example, this line vividly depicts the craftsmanship of the fan, symbolising the intricacy of love and memory.

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Symbolism

The fan itself is a powerful symbol, representing love, memory, and the passage of time.

"The rest is tortoiseshell and has the reticent, / clear patience of its element." (lines 15-16),

The fan's materials further symbolise aspects of the human condition and relationships.

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Contrast

Boland effectively uses contrast to juxtapose different elements—love and war, past and present, nature and human emotions.

"A starless drought made the nights stormy." (line 4),

Contrasts the stifling heat with the stormy nights, mirroring the tension in human relationships.

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Narrative Technique

The poem's narrative unfolds non-linearly, moving fluidly between past and present.

"buying it for five francs in the Galeries" (line 2),

Establishes the narrative's historical setting, which weaves through the poem.

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Mood and Atmosphere

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Nostalgic and Reflective

The poem has a nostalgic and reflective mood as the speaker reminisces about her parents' past and the significance of the fan. The poem's title sets a reflective tone, inviting the reader into a personal and familial history.

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Romantic and Wistful

The mood is also romantic and wistful, capturing the fleeting nature of love and the longing for a past era.

"It was the first gift he ever gave her" (line 1),

Evokes the romance of the fan's origin.

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Tension Between Joy and Melancholy

The poem balances joy with a sense of melancholy, reflecting on the beauty of the past while acknowledging its impermanence.

"A starless drought made the nights stormy." (line 4),

This line captures the tension between the beauty of love and the impending war.

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Intimate and Evocative

Boland creates an atmosphere that is both intimate and evocative, drawing the reader into a deeply personal yet universally resonant story.

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They stayed in the city for the summer.

They met in cafés. She was always early.

He was late. (line 5-7)

This simple description evokes the couple's idiosyncratic and casual intimacy, making the narrative more relatable.

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"The Black Lace Fan My Mother Gave Me" by Eavan Boland is a multifaceted poem that weaves together themes of memory, love, and historical context through a rich tapestry of imagery and symbolism. The poem's narrative technique, contrasting elements, and the interplay of natural imagery with human emotions contribute to a mood that is both nostalgic and reflective, romantic and dreamy. Boland's skilful use of language and poetic devices creates an intimate and evocative atmosphere, making the poem a poignant exploration of the human experience.