The Oral Tradition: Key Quotes
The Oral Tradition: Key Quotes
Key Quotes and Analysis
Exploration of Irish Mythology
- “In a cornfield at harvest” - Boland makes frequent use of pastoral imagery in her poetry, grounding her exploration of mythology and folklore in a tangible, familiar setting. The phrase could be a metaphor for the richness of Irish myth and its harvest of stories ripe for reinterpretation.
Focus on Feminine Perspective
- “The wet flesh of an apple” - This sensuous imagery is associated with Eve from the biblical story, cleverly referencing the silencing and marginalisation of women. The feminine is portrayed as juicy, delicious, and coveted.
Personal Identity
- “A difficult knowledge” - This could represent the challenging reality of a woman’s experience, which is hard to accept and understand. A direct connotation to the knowledge brought by an apple i.e. ‘Forbidden knowledge’.
Significance of Forgotten history
- “Beneath these fields, in the demi-lune, the salt-sunk mouth of a cave” - The imagistic depiction of a ‘buried’ area represents the forgotten or ignored narratives. Boland invites the readers to discover this hidden history.
Reflection on Canonical Texts
- “**Stone boat” - Representing tradition as a weight that needs to be challenged and transformed. This metaphor suggests the outdated and rigid view of women and their stories in canonical literature.
Power and Strength of Women
- “Unmarked on any map, the hill remote” - Here Boland is referring to women’s history being uncharted or unrecognised. Boland hints at the great strength of women who, despite the neglect, continue an impactful existence.
Implicit Criticism of Society
- “Unloved, unlit”, and “the raw climate” - These quotes suggest the harsh realities of society. Boland uses this strong language to stress the neglect and isolation women experience within their respective societies.