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The Barn

In this poem the persona (very well may be Heaney but he doesnt say I) walks into a barn.
Initially there is a theme of positive adventure, however as he goes in deeper, the persona
gets scared and runs out. However the fear is not over as the persona continues to be
haunted by the barn while he tries to sleep.
Point 1 How a tense atmosphere that still creates an idea of positive adventure is set.
Monosyllabic title
- Informs the reader very plainly of what the poem concerns/where it takes place
Positive adventure/exotic imagery
- grit of ivory precious/beautiful/gleaming, crop is so important in value to the
family perhaps due to financial reasons
- armoury weapons/security interesting place for a child to be on his own
- farmyard implements metaphor shows how full of interesting things the barn is
he lists items eg plough socks shows fascination.
Tension also created
- Synaesthesia with musty dark sets an ominous tone/bleak/repulsive
- armoury also has connotations with war heightened tensions etc
- Chilly cold, death
- mouse-grey mice often live in barns, perhaps suggests that there is another
creature in the barn barn is alive?
- no draughts perfectly still, heightened tension, no movement, calm before the
storm etc.
Juxtaposition/contrast between light and dark
- Gilded motes golden dirt???
Point 2 - Imagery which leads to heightened suspense and fear in the personas mind
Frequent use of war imagery
- scythes edge, clean spade pitch-forks prongs connotations with the devil.
(bats also have negative connotations evil
- Gleaming shiny things catch the light
- Juxtaposition between light and dark leaves much up to the mind.
cobwebs clogging up lungs
- Spiders possibly something that scares him
- So out of breath out of terror/fear that he feels as though his lungs are full
- Alliteration emphasises theme of claustrophobia
Runs out into the safety of the light
- Light vs dark
- scuttled he is a spider
- Persona personified as the spider hes small and afraid.
The existence of half rhymes (give a few examples) highlights the uneasiness and discomfort
faced by the persona.
Point 3 impact of final stanza, how this poem differs from others and the representation
of a childs perspective
I was chaff
- Metaphor meaning Husks of corn but also means worthless suggests that fear has
won he hasnt learnt anything (next poem is advancement of learning where he
overcomes his fear of rats)
two lugged sacks described through a simile as great blind rats
- Three blind mice nursery rhyme this is the most vivid image he can think of
showing a childs perspective
Ending is not conclusive
- He has learned/now has a new fear his only coping method is to lie with his head in
a pillow.
- The whole collection is about transience into adulthood opposite happens here
Conclusion
Experience that likely affected Heaney in a large way leads on to following poem learns
his fear

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