The stylized boat : Seamus Heaney, poetic responsibility and the politics of Northern Ireland

Abstract

This dissertation tackles the question of poetic duty and responsibility in the poetry of Seamus Heaney, with reference to his early work. The primary texts that will be referred to are: 1. Death of a Naturalist ( 1966) 2. Door into the Dark (1969) 3. Wintering Out (1972) 4. North (1975) The dissertation attempts to demonstrate how these four poetry collections by Heaney exhibit a progression in how the poet, after coming to grips with his artistic vocation, finally discovers the means by which to address the troublesome events that have for long afflicted Northern Ireland. The very first poem in Death of a Naturalist informs us that Heaney is fully committed to use his pen in order to "dig" into all that constitutes his country. Besides other things this is a declaration by someone willing to do something about the problems of his community. However, the main aim of this dissertation is to show how difficult and at times burdensome has the artistic call been for Heaney.