The War Horse

Summary

"The War Horse" by Eavan Boland is a compelling poem that uses the image of a horse to explore themes of violence, conflict, and the impact of war on everyday life. Set against the backdrop of the Troubles in Ireland, the poem contrasts the tranquillity of a suburban setting with the lurking threat of violence embodied by the war horse.

---

Introduction to the Setting and the Horse

Boland opens the poem with an ordinary scene disrupted by the presence of a war horse. This immediate juxtaposition sets the tone for exploring themes like violence and its intrusion into peaceful life.

"This dry night, nothing unusual / About the clip clop casual / Iron of his shoes as he stamps death / Like a mint on the innocent coinage of earth." (lines 1-4).

This introduces the war horse and its symbolic significance.

---

Impact of Violence on Domesticity

The poem reflects on how violence can penetrate and alter the perception of domestic life, even when it is distant or indirect.

"Only a leaf of our laurel hedge is torn— / Of distant interest like a maimed limb; / Only a rose which now will never climb / The stone of our house" (lines 7-10).

These lines metaphorically connect the destruction caused by the horse to the destruction caused by war.

---

Symbolism of the Horse

The horse serves as a powerful symbol of the relentless and indiscriminate nature of conflict and violence.

"He stumbles on like a rumour of war, huge / Threatening" (lines 17-18).

This depicts the horse as a metaphor for the looming threat of violence.

---

Key Images

---

The War Horse as a Symbol

The horse is a central image, symbolising the omnipresent threat of violence and conflict.

"He stumbles on like a rumour of war, huge / Threatening" (lines 17-18).

The horse embodies the inescapable nature of conflict.

---

Destruction of Nature and Beauty

The destruction of the rose and the laurel hedge symbolises how violence disrupts and destroys beauty and tranquillity in life.

"Only a rose which now will never climb / The stone of our house" (lines 9-10).

This symbolises the loss of beauty and innocence in the face of violence.

---

Suburban Tranquillity Interrupted

---

The suburban setting juxtaposed with the war horse highlights the contrast between peaceful daily life and the lurking violence.

"This dry night, nothing unusual / About the clip clop casual" (lines 1-2).

The opening lines set a scene of normalcy interrupted by the horse.

---

Imagery of Death and War

The poem is laden with imagery of death and war, linking the horse's presence to broader themes of conflict.

Quote__: "Iron of his shoes as he stamps death / Like a mint on the innocent coinage of earth" (lines 3-4).

This imagery connects the horse with death and destruction.

---

Form and Structure

---

Free Verse Form

The War Horse is written in free verse, allowing Boland to explore the themes without the constraints of a traditional rhyme scheme or meter.

---

Analysis

The free verse form mirrors the unpredictable and chaotic nature of the themes Boland is exploring.

---

Enjambment and Flow

The use of enjambment throughout the poem creates a sense of continuous motion, reflecting the ongoing nature of the conflict and the horses' movement.

"He stumbles on like a rumour of war, huge / Threatening" (lines 17-18).

The enjambment here mirrors the relentless advance of the horse.

---

Imagery and Symbolism

Boland's vivid imagery and symbolism serve to deepen the exploration of the poem's themes.

"Like a mint on the innocent coinage of earth" (line 4).

This metaphorical language enhances the poem's exploration of the impact of violence.

---

Juxtaposition

The poem's structure juxtaposes images of domestic tranquillity with the war horse's violent presence, emphasising the intrusion of conflict into peaceful life:

"This dry night, nothing unusual / About the clip clop casual" (lines 1-2) juxtaposed with "He stumbles on like a rumour of war, huge / Threatening" (lines 17-18)

---

Themes

---

Violence and Conflict

Development: The poem delves into the theme of violence and its unavoidable presence in even the most peaceful settings, symbolised by the war horse's intrusion.

"He stumbles on like a rumour of war, huge / Threatening." (lines 17-18)

This captures the inescapable nature of conflict.

---

Free Verse Form

The War Horse is written in free verse, allowing Boland to explore the themes without the constraints of a traditional rhyme scheme or meter.

Analysis: The free verse form mirrors the unpredictable and chaotic nature of the themes Boland is exploring.

---

Innocence and Destruction

Development: Boland contrasts the innocence of a suburban setting with the destructive force of the war horse, illustrating how violence can shatter peace and beauty.

"Only a leaf of our laurel hedge is torn— / Of distant interest like a maimed limb," (lines 7-8)

The destruction of nature here symbolises the loss of innocence.

---

Impact of War on Daily Life

Development: The poem reflects on how war and conflict, even when not directly experienced, can permeate and alter the fabric of everyday life.

"Only a rose which now will never climb / The stone of our house" (lines 9-10)

This metaphorically connects the distant violence to the domestic sphere.

---

Nature and Man

Development: Boland uses nature imagery to comment on the relationship between man and the natural world, particularly in the context of conflict.

"Like a mint on the innocent coinage of earth" (line 4)

This highlights the impact of human conflict on the natural world.

---

Style and Language Techniques

---

Imagery

Development: Boland uses vivid imagery to convey the themes of violence and its impact on innocence and nature.

a volunteer / You might say, only a crocus, its bulbous head / Blown from growth, one of the screamless dead. (line 14-16)

The imagery here represents violence using nature imagery.

---

Symbolism

Development: The war horse is a potent symbol in the poem, representing the force of violence and conflict.

"He stumbles on like a rumour of war, huge / Threatening" (lines 17-18)

The horse symbolises the looming presence of war.

---

Metaphor and Comparison

Development:

Boland employs metaphors and comparisons to deepen the understanding of the themes.

"Like a mint on the innocent coinage of earth" (line 4)

This metaphorical language enriches the poem's thematic exploration.

---

Tone and Dictation

Development: The choice of words and the poem's overall tone enhance its themes, using both stark and evocative language.

"This dry night, nothing unusual / About the clip clop casual" (lines 1-2)

The tone here is ominous, foreshadowing the violence symbolised by the horse.

---

Style and Language Techniques

---

Ominous and Foreboding

Development: The poem's mood is ominous and foreboding, reflecting the constant threat of violence.

"He stumbles on like a rumour of war, huge / Threatening" (lines 17-18)

This creates an atmosphere of impending danger.

---

Melancholic and Reflective

Development: The poem has a sad and reflective mood, contemplating the loss of innocence and the impact of war on everyday life.

why should we care / If a rose, a hedge, a crocus are uprooted / Like corpses, remote, crushed, mutilated? (lines 19-20)

This reflects a sense of loss and melancholy.

---

The juxtaposition of Peace and Violence

Development: The poem's atmosphere juxtaposes the tranquillity of suburban life with the violence symbolised by the war horse, highlighting the contrast.

"This dry night, nothing unusual / About the clip clop casual" (lines 1-2)

This juxtaposition creates a tense and uneasy atmosphere.

---

Tension Between Nature and War

Development: The poem creates a tension between the natural world and the man-made world of conflict, reflected in the atmosphere.

"Like a mint on the innocent coinage of earth" (line 4)

This line highlights the tension between the natural world and the destructive forces of war.

---

The War Horse by Eavan Boland is a poignant exploration of violence, innocence, and the impact of conflict on daily life. Boland's use of vivid imagery, symbolism, and metaphor, combined with her skilful manipulation of tone and diction, creates a powerful reflection on the pervasiveness of war. The mood is ominous and foreboding, with a sad undertone that underscores the poem's themes.