The Haw Lantern: Key Quotes

Key Quotes and Analysis

“The wintry haw is burning out of season” - The line marks an unusual and unexpected occurrence of a hawthorn tree having blossoms in winter. This suggests a sense of incongruity and strangeness; this deviation from the natural cycle can mirror the personal and social upheavals Heaney faced in his life.
“Crushed to a red juice” - This phrase speaks of the vitality of the hawthorn berries, likening them to a passionate essence but also suggesting violence with the notion of ‘crushed’. The red colour might also serve as a symbol for blood, passion, or revolution.
“The lantern’s adamantine hardness lightens / His fingers towards the tickled tracing of a stencil” - The ‘adamantine hardness’ of the lantern refers to its unwavering and unyielding quality, while ‘tickled tracing of a stencil’ suggests a delicate and light touch, creating a contrast. This could refer to how Heaney navigates the hard and soft aspects of his identity and history.
“This harshness best pockets the midwinter slops / Of cut stem or root” - The ‘harshness’ of the haw is juxtaposed against the ‘midwinter slops’ indicating a resilience in harsh times. This serves as a metaphor for stoicism in emotionally tough times.

Alliteration and Assonance: Heaney uses a lot of alliteration in “The Haw Lantern”. For example, “tongue-tide and tidefall” and “Cornucopia of cold iron”. The use of alliteration creates a musical effect, enhancing the sense of rhythm in each line.
Similes and Metaphors: Numerous similes and metaphors throughout the poem work to deepen the meaning, such as “Beseechful berry set among prickles” which compares the haw to a desperate pleading individual among hardship.
Imagery: The imagery throughout the poem serves to visualise the themes of resilience, hope and identity. The images of a ‘haw’ which is adamantine, unforgiving yet fruitful and blossoming out of time serves as an eloquent emblem for the overall theme.

“The Haw Lantern” skillfully uses nature as a medium to delve into themes of identity, resilience, and transformation. Heaney uses the unyielding, harsh yet fruitful hawthorn tree as a symbol for his own identity and life constant amidst the changing seasons and challenges.
The lantern as a guiding light could be seen as a symbol for hope or potential revolution, and its intersection with the haw might suggest the intersection of personal and societal struggles within Heaney’s experience.
The language and form of the poem allow Heaney to communicate complex feelings and thoughts related to his identity, his homeland, and the larger world. This articulation adds depth and resonance to the poem, making it a significant work in Heaney’s poetic career.