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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
"Quarantine" by Eavan Boland is a profoundly moving poem that delves into the depths of human suffering and love. Set against the backdrop of the Irish Famine of the mid-19th century, the poem recounts the tragic journey of a couple who, in the face of unimaginable hardship, demonstrate an enduring bond that even death cannot sever. Through this heart-wrenching narrative, Boland explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the indomitable spirit of humanity. The poem begins by setting the scene of "the worst hour of the worst season / of the worst year of a whole people," immediately conveying the gravity of the historical context. The Irish Famine, also known as the Great Hunger, was a period of mass starvation, disease, and emigration in Ireland that led to the death of approximately one million people and the emigration of a million more. The central figures of the poem, a man and his wife, embark on a desperate journey north from the workhouse, a place that offered meager relief to the destitute. The wife, weakened by "famine fever," cannot keep up, prompting her husband to carry her on his back. This act of devotion and determination in the face of their dire circumstances highlights the depth of their love and commitment to one another. Their journey ends tragically "at nightfall under freezing stars," where they are found dead the following morning. The imagery of her feet held against his breastbone and the "last heat of his flesh" being his final gift to her is both poignant and powerful, encapsulating the essence of selfless love. Boland's directive, "Let no love poem ever come to this threshold," underscores the stark contrast between the romantic ideal often depicted in love poems and the raw, unvarnished reality of love as experienced by this couple. The poem eschews "the inexact / praise of the easy graces and sensuality of the body" for a "merciless inventory" of their suffering and the profound connection between them. The closing lines of the poem reflect on the couple's ordeal and the broader human experience of love and survival. Boland suggests that the true measure of the bond between a man and a woman is not found in moments of joy and ease but in the shared endurance of suffering and darkness. The poem ultimately affirms the power of love to transcend even the most harrowing circumstances. "Quarantine" is a testament to Boland's ability to weave historical events with universal themes, creating a work that is both specific in its setting and timeless in its exploration of love and human resilience. Through her careful choice of words and evocative imagery, Boland invites readers to reflect on the capacity for love and sacrifice that resides within all of us, even in our darkest hours.
| Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE YOUNG SUICIDES IN IRELAND by ELAINE TERRANOVA THAT THE SCIENCE OF CARTOGRAPHY IS LIMITED by EAVAN BOLAND THE GREAT HUNGER: 1 by PATRICK KAVANAGH IRELAND (1847) by DENIS FLORENCE MCCARTHY THE FAMINE YEAR by JANE FRANCESCA WILDE VOICES FROM THE OLD WORLD: THE FAMINE OF 1847 by SARA JANE CLARKE LIPPINCOTT THE WAR SHIP OF PEACE by SAMUEL LOVER DRIMIN DONN DILIS (THE DEAR BROWN COW) by JOHN WALSH (1835-1881) "A LAMENT FOR THE POTATO, A.D. 1739" by ANONYMOUS THAT THE SCIENCE OF CARTOGRAPHY IS LIMITED by EAVAN BOLAND |
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