The Pomegranate

Summary

Eavan Boland's "The Pomegranate" is a complex poem that explores themes of motherhood, the passage of time, and mythological symbolism. The poem juxtaposes the ancient myth of Ceres and Persephone with the modern reality of a mother and her daughter, drawing parallels between the two narratives.

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Introduction to the Myth

The poem opens with a reference to the only legend the speaker loved, the story of Ceres and Persephone from Greek mythology. This sets the stage for the poem's exploration of maternal love and loss.

"The only legend I have ever loved is / the story of a daughter lost in hell. / And found and rescued there." (lines 1-3).

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Modern Reality and Personal Connection

Boland connects this myth to her own life, revealing her deep empathy for Ceres's plight as a mother.

"Later / I walked out in a summer twilight / searching for my daughter at bed-time." (lines 8-10)

This parallel illustrates the universal nature of maternal fears and love.

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Symbol of the Pomegranate

The pomegranate becomes a central symbol in the poem, representing knowledge, loss, and the bittersweet nature of growing up.

"The pomegranate! How did I forget it?" (line 14)

The speaker reflects on the significance of this fruit, both in the myth and in her life.

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Key Images

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The Pomegranate

The image of the pomegranate is laden with symbolic meaning, drawing on its mythological associations with knowledge, maturity, and the irreversible nature of certain choices.

"She could have come home and been safe / and ended the story and all / our heart-broken searching but she reached / out a hand and plucked a pomegranate." (lines 15-18).

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Maternal Emotions

Images that convey the depth of maternal emotions are prevalent throughout the poem. Boland uses these to highlight the universal and timeless nature of a mother's love and fear.

"When she came running I was ready / to make any bargain to keep her." (lines 11-12).

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Nature and Twilight

The setting of a summer twilight adds a layer of natural beauty and a sense of transition, mirroring the themes of change and maturation in the poem.

"Later / I walked out in a summer twilight" (lines 8-9).

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Mythological References

Boland incorporates references to the myth of Ceres and Persephone to deepen the poem's exploration of maternal bonds and the passage of time.

"Love and blackmail are the gist of it. / Ceres and Persephone the names." (lines 4-5).

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Form and Structure

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Free Verse Form

"The Pomegranate" is written in free verse, allowing Boland to explore complex themes without the constraints of a traditional form.

Analysis: The free verse form mirrors the fluid and evolving nature of the relationship between mother and daughter and the shifting narrative between myth and modernity.

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Narrative Flow and Enjambment

The poem's use of enjambment creates a seamless flow between the lines, echoing the seamless transition between the mythological and the personal.

"I carried her back past whitebeams / and wasps and honey-scented buddleias." (lines 12-13).

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Imagery and Symbolism

Boland's use of vivid imagery and symbolism enriches the poem's thematic depth, particularly in her depiction of the pomegranate.

"The pomegranate! How did I forget it?" (line 14)

Emphasises the symbolic weight of the fruit.

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Contrast and Juxtaposition

The poem juxtaposes ancient myth with modern life, highlighting the universal and timeless nature of its themes.

"The only legend I have ever loved is / the story of a daughter lost in hell." (lines 1-2)

Contrasts with the speaker's experience in the present.

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Themes

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Motherhood and Maternal Love

The poem deeply explores the complexities of maternal love, capturing both its joys and anxieties. Boland uses the myth of Ceres and Persephone to parallel her own experiences as a mother, highlighting the universality of these emotions across time.

"When she came running I was ready / to make any bargain to keep her." (lines 11-12)

This illustrates the depth of the mother's love and her willingness to sacrifice for her child's safety.

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Myth and Reality

Boland intertwines myth with the modern world, using the story of Ceres and Persephone to mirror her own life. This interplay emphasises how ancient stories continue to resonate in contemporary times.

"The only legend I have ever loved is / the story of a daughter lost in hell." (lines 1-2)

The beginning lines establish the connection between myth and the poet's reality.

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Choices and Consequences

The poem contemplates the nature of choices and their irreversible consequences, symbolised by the act of Persephone eating the pomegranate seeds.

"She could have come home and been safe / and ended the story and all / our heart-broken searching but she reached / out a hand and plucked a pomegranate." (lines 15-18)

This passage reflects on the pivotal moment of choice and its lasting impact.

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Passage of Time and Transition

Boland addresses the passage of time, notably the transition from childhood to adulthood and the inevitable changes it brings in the mother-daughter relationship.

"I walk out in a summer twilight / searching for my daughter at bed-time." (lines 8-9)

This imagery captures the transitional moment and the passage of time.

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Style and Language Techniques

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Symbolism

The pomegranate is a rich symbol in the poem, representing knowledge, maturity, and the inescapable nature of certain life choices.

"The pomegranate! How did I forget it?" (line 14)

The symbol of the pomegranate is central to the poem's exploration of maternal concerns and mythological themes.

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Imagery

Boland uses vivid imagery to draw parallels between the myth and her own life, creating a tapestry of visual elements that enhance the poem's thematic depth.

"I carried her back past whitebeams / and wasps and honey-scented buddleias." (lines 12-13)

This imagery vividly brings to life the scene, linking it to the myth.

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Juxtaposition

The mythological contrast with the every day allows Boland to explore the timeless nature of maternal experiences.

"Later / I walked out in a summer twilight / searching for my daughter at bed-time." (lines 8-10)

Juxtaposes the ordinary act of looking for one's child with the extraordinary myth.

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Allusion

Boland's allusion to the myth of Ceres and Persephone provides a deeper, more universal context to her narrative.

"Ceres and Persephone the names." (line 5)

Directly alludes to the myth, linking it to the poem's themes.

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Mood and Atmosphere

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Reflective and Contemplative

The poem's mood is reflective, inviting readers to ponder the complexities of maternal relationships and the inevitability of change.

"I could warn her. There is still a chance."

Sets a contemplative tone.

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Bittersweet and Melancholic

The poem has a bittersweet and somewhat melancholic quality as it dwells on the passage of time and the mixed emotions it brings.

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"But what else

can a mother give her daughter but such

beautiful rifts in time?

If I defer the grief I will diminish the gift."

This line captures the bittersweet nature of remembering and the complexities of motherhood.

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Intimate and Personal

The atmosphere is intimate, drawing the reader into the personal and emotional world of the speaker.

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"The legend will be hers as well as mine.

She will enter it. As I have."

The poem's intimate tone brings the reader closer to the speaker's inner thoughts and feelings.

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Mythical and Timeless

The atmosphere also carries a sense of the mythical and timeless, connecting the personal story to the larger, universal narrative.

"The only legend I have ever loved is / the story of a daughter lost in hell." (lines 1-2)

This opening creates a mythical and timeless atmosphere.

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"The Pomegranate" by Eavan Boland is a layered and nuanced poem that skilfully intertwines personal narrative with mythological allusion. Its exploration of themes such as motherhood, the passage of time, and choices and consequences is enriched by Boland's masterful use of symbolism, imagery, and juxtaposition. The reflective and contemplative mood, combined with the poem's intimate and bittersweet atmosphere, invites readers to consider the universal aspects of maternal experiences.