Blackberry Picking (4th Form Exams)

what are 3 key ideas?

• imagery

• juxtaposition between both stanzas

• sense of inevitability

what does imagery demonstrate?

vulnerability of children + their progression and importance of blackberry picking

imagery: “flesh“, “blood”

• corporal imagery creates allusion to Holy Communion

• characterises blackberry picking as ritualistic + sacred

imagery: “scratched“, “bleached“, “burned“

violent verbs + imagery characterises children as passive + vulnerable to external forces/nature

imagery: “filled we found fur”, “fungus“, “fruit fermented“

alliteration of fricatives emphasise grotesque imagery

how is there juxtaposition between both stanzas?

• 1 = positive + 2 = negative

• childhood innocence vs adult experiences

juxtaposition between both stanzas: “Like thickened wine“

blends adult experiences with childhood nostalgia

juxtaposition between both stanzas: “glutting“ + “lust for picking“

• deadly sin = corruption of adult world

• allusion to Genesis - religious imagery

juxtaposition between both stanzas: “thorn pricks“

• religious imagery

• violent verb emphasises childhood vulnerability

juxtaposition between both stanzas: “sweet flesh would turn sour“

juxtaposition emphasises loss of innocence

juxtaposition between both stanzas: “Bluebeard’s“

• associated with Blackbeard pirate → children

• Bluebeard known for killing wives → emphasises loss of childhood innocence

sense of inevitability: “sweet flesh would turn sour“

antithesis emphasises the theme of inevitable transformation

sense of inevitability: “filled we found fur“ + “fungus“ + “fruit fermented“

• alliteration of fricatives emphasises grotesque imagery

• semantic field of decay → highlights inevitability of time

sense of inevitability: “Like thickened wine“

• blends adult experience with childhood nostalgia

• emphasises inevitability of growing up

context (3 bullet points)

• he grew up in rural Northern Ireland, so childhood + nature are vivid

• reflects post-war Irish rural life, links desire vs disappointment

• nostalgia mirrors universal childhood experiences