Sunlight Flashcards
Dull imagery and opening. No sun in sight, perhaps the kitchen in Mossbawn faced away from the sun
There was a sunlit absence
The old pump can be seen standing guard. Set in Mossbawn during the Troubles, perhaps a metaphor for a guard against the outside world, keeping out the violence and treachery in Northern Ireland. Warm image however, sun is warming it. Enjambment creates urgency
The helmeted pump in the yard
heated its iron,
water honeyed
A simile depicting the sun as an old iron plate that used to be heated to cook food. The old fashioned imagery creates the air of a memory
The sun stood
like a griddle cooling
Time appears to pass slowly there. It is relaxing and peaceful. A welcoming image
Each long afternoon
Sibilance. He reminisces about his aunt working in the kitchen (old fashioned view of women) 2 quotes
1) So, her hands scuffed
over the bakeboard,
2) floury apron
Imagery and metaphor for the heat hitting like a wall. Perhaps a metaphor for the outbreaks of violence coming out of nowhere?
the reddening stove
sent its plaque of heat
against her
A homely and welcoming image of security and safety away from violence. The welcoming lap of his aunt offers an escape from the worries of the outside world
now sits, broad-lapped,
with whitened nails
Time on two different scales. Mossbawn is slow, tranquil and peaceful while the rest of Northern Ireland is fast-paced with the issue of the troubles. The ticking could also refer to the ticking of a bomb
The tick of two clocks
Heaney seems to admire the work done in the kitchen. He possibly sees baking as an art form also and the whole poem illustrates the time needed to perfect an art
here is a space
again, the scone rising
to the tick of two clocks
A simple yet effective sentence that demonstrates his love and affection for Mossbawn and his aunt. Feels like he belongs
And here is love
