line by line explanation of a constable calls

 

line by line explanation of a constable calls 

Line by line explanation of the poem “A Constable Calls”

Three topics from Heaney's poetry are combined in the poem a constable calls. It is, first and foremost, an autobiographical childhood poem. Second, it is a poetry that conveys an epiphany—an acute, strong, and vivid experience of revelation. Finally, it's a poem on the political and cultural problems in Northern Ireland during Heaney's childhood.

The poem is about a normal policeman visit. A constable is someone who works in the legal system. He came to take agricultural production records. When a constable is around, people feel safe. The irony is that in his presence, people are scared.

stanzas one and two:

Heaney describes the appearance of the constable's bicycle in great detail in the opening two stanzas. The bicycle, he says, is a character portrait. Inside, a constable came and went, his bicycle parked at the window sill. The child pays close attention to the bicycle. He examines the bicycle's mudguard and black handle grip. These grips are "fat," implying a bike that is heavy-duty and purpose-built. The dynamo's spade-shaped section is tilted back and exposed to the sun's heat and light. In the sun, the spud is hot and shiny. The constable is no longer riding the bicycle, thus the pedals are lazily hanging in the air. The bicycle is a source of fear for the child and his family. because the bicycle is symbolic of the arrival of the constable. 

third stanza:

Heaney gives a description of the constable's appearance in the third stanza. He's seated in a chair. His headgear is strewn over the floor next to his chair. Sweat has soaked his chair. The pressure of his cap has created a moist depressed curl in his hair. Obviously, nothing in this description is menacing, yet the child notices something unusual about the constable's appearance.

Fourth, fifth stanza:

The constable in these stanzas is inquiring about the area under cultivation. He is holding a register in which he is recording crop information.

The toddler was terrified during the chat. He is not afraid to learn mathematics in school. However, the air is suddenly filled with terror and fear. He is terrified of the weapon cover carried by the constable. The pistol's casing is gleaming. A twisted band has been formed into a loop and is fastened to the revolver's belt end.

six stanzas:

The officer inquired if he had planted any additional crops, such as mangolds, marrow stems, or something similar. The farmer gave a negative response. Because he is terrified, the child's father does not say anything other than "no."

seven stanzas:

The boy is terrified because he believes their fields only have one line of turnips. Perhaps the constable will learn about this knowledge and punish his father. He is currently resentful of his father. However, after a few moment, he notices that the constable is happy with his father's arguments or details. Because his father is not punished by the constable, he is at ease. The constable's investigation has come to a successful conclusion. Fear, on the other hand, does not go away.

Eight stanza:

Heaney delivers a minute-by-minute account of the constable's departure in this stanza. Standing up, the officer adjusted the baton case further around his waist. He then put his domesday book away. He removes his cap before saying his goodbyes.

Ninth stanza:

In the window, a shadow appears. This is the mother of the child's shadow. She, too, is terrified. She is listening in on the constable and his husband's talk. Heaney tries to convey the dread of the mother of the kid through her description. The constable's boots are visible on the bicycle's paddle. The child listens to the bicycle's ticking sound.