servant boy

Question 1

what does the third person narrative portray?

Answer 1

a servant boy working in a big 18th century house.

Question 2

what does this poem vividly evoke?

Answer 2

an experience of a catholic underclass when ruled by English protestant

Question 3

“a Jobber amongst shadows”

Answer 3

“Jobber” – asked to carry out mundane tasks.

“shadows”– is deadened by narrow existence, indistinguishable from the shadows.

Question 4

“old work whore”

Answer 4

Suggests that labour is only thing he has to sell; does so without feeling of accomplishment; it is degrading, demoralising labour. ‘Old’ is odd as he is a boy: either his poor situation ages him; or ‘old’ because such demeaning situation

Question 5

what is the significance of Heaney directly addressing the servant boy?

Answer 5

reveals the connection he has with the character.

Question 6

“(you) kept your patience and your counsel, how you draw me into your trail”

Answer 6

Move from third person to second suggests that Heaney has been drawn into a relationship with the servant boy through imagining his situation. Heaney imagines that the boys response to hard work is not to rebel but to work harder.

Question 7

what does the quotation “swinging a hurricane lamp” show?

Answer 7

the threat that he poses.
“hurricane” connotations of danger, violence and destruction.
“swinging” pendulum, timebomb, tired of always working

Question 8

“carrying the warm eggs”

Answer 8

symbol of new life, fresh ideas, rebellion