Object Lessons: Structure & Language Techniques

Object Lessons: Structure & Language Techniques

“Object Lessons”: Structure

Stanza Form

• This poem consists of seven stanzas of five lines each. This consistent form gives the poem a formal and solid structure that balances out the fluidity of the language.
• The structure of the poem can be seen to reflect Boland’s idea of an object – artfully composed, coherent and contained.

Enjambment & Punctuation

• Boland employs enjambment throughout the poem – lines and ideas flow into one another, disrupting the boundaries between them, just as the past and present merge in the poem’s narrative.
• This same merging is reflected in the lack of end punctuation – phrases and sentences spill over into new stanzas, again emphasising continuity and fluidity.

“Object Lessons”: Language Techniques

Metaphor & Symbolism

• Boland utilises metaphorical language, transforming ordinary household objects into gateways to the past.
• Through the symbolism of objects, she materialises abstract concepts such as memory, history, and identity, making them tangible and thus more relatable to the reader.

Repetition

• The repetitive phrase “I placed”, used at the start of most stanzas, is indicative of the process of reconstructing memory; each placement is an active effort of remembering, an attempt to make sense of the past.
• This repetition reinforces the cyclical nature of memory and the act of returning to the past again and again.

Imagery

• The poem thrives on its vivid, tactile imagery. Each object’s description brings it to life, often with exquisite detail, making the reader feel as if they are touching, seeing, and experiencing these objects from the past.
• The imagery helps to create a palpable sense of nostalgia and longing, showing the power of simple items to evoke profound emotions and recollections.