Aunt Julia: Stanza 3 and 4

‘Aunt Julia’: Stanza 3 and 4

The speaker’s tone shifts to one of nostalgic regret, with the emotive descriptions of Aunt Julia.
There’s an air of longing that permeates these stanzas, expressing the remorse of lost opportunities for understanding.

MacCaig uses food metaphor for the language – “big and harsh on my throat” – suggesting inedibility of the Gaelic language for the speaker.
Aunt Julia is portrayed as a woman in harmony with nature, gardening barefoot in a symbolic gesture that shows her connection to the land.

The speaker’s youthful ignorance is highlighted through his inability to fully understand Aunt Julia’s life - a poignant reflection of interspersed communication.
Through these stanzas, the speaker seeks to commemorate Aunt Julia’s spirit, despite the language barrier.

The use of the phrase “Knew some runners…” casts a pastoral and raw atmosphere, illustrating Aunt Julia’s close connection with nature.
Repetition and alliteration of the ‘s’ sound in ‘Knew some…’ gives the language a lyrical and musical rhythm, characteristic of Gaelic.

These stanzas introduce themes such as linguistic barriers, shared understanding and connection to nature.
Memory and reflection form a vital part of the stanza, reinforcing the theme of recollection and yearning.

Stanzas 3 and 4 of “Aunt Julia” communicate a heartfelt reflection of the speaker’s relationship with Aunt Julia, who lives in harmony with nature but is separated by language. Through the intelligent use of descriptors, imagery and sensory language, MacCaig stresses Aunt Julia’s profound influence on the speaker. Emphasising the linguistic barrier, these stanzas also explore themes of longing, memory, and the power of non-verbal understanding in bonding relationships.