Seamus Heaney Essay

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Choose a poem which describes an animal or a place or an event in an effective way. Briefly state what is being described and go on to show how the techniques used in the poem make the description effective. A poem that describes an event in an effective way is ‘Mid-Term Break’ by Seamus Heaney. In this poem, Heaney describes a personal tragedy that he encountered when he was a young boy. He was sent home from his boarding school and when he returns home he is greeted with strangers saying they were sorry for his trouble. The next day, he goes up to a calm room where his brother is laying. He looks at him and Heaney gives you an idea of what his little brother looks like and how he died. Throughout the poem, Heaney uses imagery to help convey how he is feeling. This is effective as you can feel what he is and understand what he was going through. When Heaney writes about his father crying and how that is an unusual scene, he is bringing you with him. This helps you picture an unusual scene as his father does not usually cry at funerals. Heaney also writes about the baby cooing and laughing which shows that the baby is unaffected and does not know what is going around them. Heaney also shows an effective choice of imagery in the phrase; “Snowdrops/And candles” This is effective as it helps you picture a calm and peaceful atmosphere. The snowdrops and candles also make you think of a sense of rebirth and ceremony. Another example of image is when Heaney sees his dad crying, “In the porch I met my father crying” This makes you picture a confused Heaney as he has never seen his dad crying at funerals before. This is in contrast with the baby laughing and cooing in the pram when Heaney walks in the room as the baby doesn’t know what is going on around them. Heaney’s word choice is effective in the poem as it helps you understand the situation in a deeper
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