Home: Historical Context

“Home”: Historical Context

The poem “Home” was written by Iain Crichton Smith, who was born and raised on the island of Lewis in Scotland.
Smith lived during the 20th century, a period marked by significant social change and conflict.
The poetry of Smith often reflects the challenge of contemporary life in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.

Island Life and Language

Smith’s poem is set against the backdrop of a Scotland that was undergoing rapid shifts in culture and identity.
Many of the older traditions were considered archaic by an emerging generation, leading to a clash of traditional norms versus modern attitudes.
An essential part of this cultural conflict was language. Smith would have been raised speaking Gaelic, which was the dominant language of Lewis. However, English was increasingly becoming the primary language, leading to tensions.

Urbanisation

In Smith’s lifetime, the urban centres of Scotland were rapidly growing, providing more opportunities for work, education, and advancement. This trend is reflected in the theme of displacement prominent in “Home”.
Many island inhabitants, like the speaker in the poem, found themselves moving away from their traditional homes to these urban spaces, sparking feelings of alienation and homesickness.

Religion

Religion played a significant role in people’s daily lives on Lewis, and its influence is evident in Smith’s work.
Lewis was predominantly Presbyterian, with a strict Sabbath observance. The heavy religious undertones in much of Smith’s work, including “Home”, suggest this significant angle of the societal pressures of his time.

Conclusion

Understanding the historical and cultural context of “Home” provides a rich tapestry that illuminates the struggles, conflicts, and emotions at play in the poem.
Scholars suggest that the poem is a reflection of Smith’s own experiences, further highlighting the expansiveness of the personal within the universal use of themes such as displacement, loss, cultural shift, and nostalgia.