Punishment: Structure & Language Techniques

Summary and Structure

“Punishment” is a structured lyrical poem composed of 20 four-line stanzas, in a fairly regular ABAB rhyme scheme.
The regular rhythm and rhyme might be seen as an offset to the gruesome and raw subject matter, bringing a somewhat uncomfortable balance to the readers.

Heaney employs vivid and brutal imagery to depict the violent treatment of the ‘winneted’ girl, who has been subjected to a barbaric ancient ritual as a punishment for her adulterous behaviour.
He uses apostrophe, which is a direct address to someone or something not present. He speaks to the young girl of the past as if she were alive in the present. It establishes a connection between the speaker and the subject and makes the narrative more engaging and emotionally intense.
Metaphorical language paints a horrifying picture of the girl’s punishment. She is ‘dug up’ like coarse stone, a reference possibly to the harshness of the laws she was subjected to and how she was dehumanised in the process.
Heaney uses replication, repeating certain phrases or forms of words to echo the rhythm of the paddles used to drown the female sacrifices in ancient times. This adds a layer of haunting resonance to the poem.

The speaker’s tone fluctuates between sympathy, guilt, and self-reproach. He identifies with the ‘tribal, intimate revenge’ that led to the brutal punishment and admits to his inability to help or intervene.
Heaney explores the themes of punishment, guilt, and cultural violence, aiming to remind the reader of humanity’s capacity for cruelty.
The poem has a contemporary relevance as well, linking past brutalities with current societal norms that commit violence in the name of ‘punishment.’ Heaney implicitly alludes to the Northern Ireland’s Troubles and the revenge killings that occurred during that time.
Prominently, Heaney sets up a contrast between the delicate feminine imagery used to describe the girl’s beauty and the harsh, brutal imagery used to reveal her punishment, amplifying the horrific nature of her fate.

Another powerful technique used by Heaney is juxtaposition; he places two ideas side by side to highlight a contrast. This is particularly noticeable where he contrasts the beauty and youth of the brutally punished girl with the terrifying method used to execute her.
Heaney’s simultaneous involvement in and detachment from the horror underscores the human tendency to turn a blind eye to violence committed by one’s own community, adding another layer of complexity and thought-provoking commentary to the poem.