A Constable Calls

Context

Published in 1975 “North” collection, About RUC

Personal connection

Shows young Heaneys unease at existing in a system not working towards his favour. Powerful vs powerless

Messages/Themes

Anti catholic views within RUC and legal system, conflict between protestants and catholics, lack of diversity in police system

Aggressive imagery stanza 1, assonance and harsh consonants, sense of fear from young Heaney

The rubber cowl of a mud-splasher Skirting the front mudguard, Its fat black handlegrips

visual image, metaphor, childlike, nervous and anticipation, indirect reference to a gun/violence. Gleaming= well looked after, well kept, boot= metonymy, reference to kicking or violence, unwelcome visitor

Heating in sunlight, the ‘spud’ Of the dynamo gleaming and cocked back, The pedal treads hanging relieved Of the boot of the law.

suggests discomfort from officer, child is repulsed, sibilant description

The line of its pressure ran like a bevel In his slightly sweating hair.

authority, legal importance

The heavy ledger

scared child, uneasy, unsure, on edge

Arithmetic and fear. I sat staring at the polished holster With its buttoned flap, the braid cord Looped into the revolver butt.

interrogatory questions, monosyllabic, business-like interaction.

‘Any other root crops? Mangolds? Marrowstems? Anything like that?’ ‘No.’

Conspiratorial, child aware that father is lying, over-dramatic mind of child

But was there not a line Of turnips where the seed ran out In the potato field? I assumed Small guilts and sat

Hyperbolic, childs imagination, harsh “B” sound

Imagining the black hole in the barracks.

William I 1906 crop returns census, also alluding to book of judgement

Closed the domesday book,

Humanizing, aduld Heaney reflecting

And looked at me as he said goodbye.

Onomatopoeic anaphora, ominous, he will be back , bomb sound, reference to violence

And the bicycle ticked, ticked, ticked