Churning Day: Themes & Linking Poems

“Churning Day”: Themes

The poem explores the theme of adolescence, looking back on how Heaney and his family used to make butter in their old farmhouse.
Symbolism and the process of transition is clear within this poem. The transition from cream to butter mirrors Heaney’s journey from a young boy to a man.
The theme of rural life and tradition is prominent throughout the poem. The act of churning butter, an antiquated process in today’s society, represents the old traditions and rural lifestyle Heaney was brought up in.
This poem clearly demonstrates Heaney’s appreciation for labour and craft, as he takes us through the meticulous and physically taxing process of butter-making.
Like many of Heaney’s works, Churning Day captures the theme of nature and its raw beauty. This is seen in the descriptions of the dairy products and the transformation they undergo.
Evocative sensory imagery is used to highlight sensory experiences of the past, such as sight, touch and smell, further establishing Heaney’s connection to his rural upbringing.

Linking Poems

‘Death of a Naturalist’ portrays a similar theme of growing up and overcoming fear, where Heaney describes being terrified by a swarm of frogs. Similar to ‘Churning Day’, the poem shows Heaney’s changing views of nature as he matures.
‘Digging’ also explores a similar sentiment where Heaney notes the labour he observed his father and grandfather perform and how he’s decided to ‘dig’ using his pen, implying a divergence from the physical labour his ancestors did. The parallel to ‘Churning Day’ can be seen in the theme of labour and the honouring of past generations’ work.
‘Follower’ presents Heaney’s admiration for his father’s hard work in the fields, further demonstrating his connection to rural life and labour. Similar to ‘Churning Day’, Heaney reflects on his childhood through the lens of an adult, witnessing the gruelling task of working the land.
Poems such as ‘The Harvest Bow’ and ‘Blackberry Picking’ also touch on similar themes of childhood, nature, and rural life, making them excellent links to ‘Churning Day’ for comparative analysis. In both these poems, Heaney uses sensory imagery to capture the details and atmosphere of his rural Irish childhood.

Remember, when comparing poems, keep an eye out for similarities and differences in themes, imagery, message, and structure. Consider how the poet’s language choice and literary techniques reflect the ideas and emotions they want to convey. Additionally, consider Heaney’s personal connection to the events or themes discussed in the poems.