The Famine Road: Themes & Linking Poems

“The Famine Road”: Main Themes

Irish history and suffering: A pivotal theme in this poem is the exploration of the history of the Irish Famine. Boland delves into the despair, suffering and the dehumanisation suffered by the road builders.
Female perspective: Boland often employs the perspective of a woman in her poems, and ‘The Famine Road’ is no exception. The speaker in the poem expresses the pain and helplessness of being a childless woman during the famine.
Power and control: The theme of power and control, or often lack thereof, is evident in ‘The Famine Road’. The authoritative voice of ‘The Board of Works’ lording over the disempowered famine victims.

‘Quarantine’ and the Irish Famine: ‘Quarantine’ shares with ‘The Famine Road’ the theme of the Great Famine. Both poems delve into the emotional depth of Irish suffering, showcasing Boland’s depiction of historical hardships.
‘This Moment’ and motherhood: In ‘This Moment’, as in ‘The Famine Road’, Boland explores the female experience. Both poems present a deeply personal perspective of motherhood, contrasting expectation with reality.
‘The War Horse’ and violence: ‘The War Horse’ provides a link with ‘The Famine Road’ through its exploration of violence, pain and destruction. In both poems, Boland reflects on the cruelties of history and the human cost.
‘Outside History’ and historical reflection: ‘Outside History’ resonates with ‘The Famine Road’ in its reflection on history and human suffering. Both poems illustrate Boland’s preoccupation with unearthing the personal narratives overlooked in grand historical accounts.