The New Pastoral: Plot
The New Pastoral: Plot
“The New Pastoral”: Plot
Setting and Narration
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“The New Pastoral” takes place in post-colonial Ireland. The setting is rural, capturing the Irish countryside’s history.
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The poem employs a first-person narrative, where Boland directly addresses the readers, creating an intimate and personal tone.
Sequence of Events
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The beginning frames the poem within the context of rural life and traditional pastoral poetry.
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Boland critiques the conventional idealisations of rural life, revealing the harsher realities of the countryside the narrator experiences, leading to the creation of what she terms the “New Pastoral”.
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The climax occurs when Boland directly challenges the tired old stereotypes and romantic notions of Ireland’s rural setting.
Engagement with the Past
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Boland engages with the historical, social, and political repercussions of colonisation on Ireland, particularly on its agrarian society.
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She redefines the traditional pastoral poetry, to represent an honest portrayal of rural Ireland, encompassing its past struggle and current realities.
Linking Poems
“Night Feed”
- Boland’s consistent focus on the mundane realities of life links “The New Pastoral” to “Night Feed”. The poems illuminate everyday life, using domestic and rural imagery.
“The Famine Road”
- Similar to “The New Pastoral”, “The Famine Road” explores the harsh realities of rural life, emphasizing the impact of historical events.
“The Black Lace Fan My Mother Gave Me”
- This poem, like “The New Pastoral”, investigates the intersection of personal and political histories, engaging with themes of memory and recall.
“Mother Ireland”
- Both “The New Pastoral” and “Mother Ireland” offer a critical examination of traditional Irish symbolism, moving beyond tired stereotypes.