Eavan Boland

Question 1

What themes does Boland cover?

Answer 1

War & Violence
Love & Marriage
The Oppression of Women

Question 2

In “The War Horse” what quotes touch on War and Violence

Answer 2

1. “He stamps death Like a mint”
2. “Only a rose which now will never climb”
3. “Distant Interests”

Question 3

In “The War Horse” Boland writes “He stamps death like a mint”. Explain this quote

Answer 3

This quote tackles the theme of War and Violence
This quote is a simile that comments on the complexities that lie at the heart of modern war, particularly post industrialisation.

Question 4

In “The War Horse” Boland writes “Only a rose which now will never climb” Explain this quote.

Answer 4

This quote tackles the theme of War and Violence
This is a symbolic representation of young victims of war that never get to reach their potential.

Question 5

In “The War Horse” Boland writes “distant interests” Explain this quote.

Answer 5

This quote tackles the theme of War and Violence
This quote highlights the neighbours apathetic reactions, inward-looking only caring of the violence is directly consequential to them.

Question 6

In “Child of our time” What quotes touch on the theme of War and Violence?

Answer 6

1. “Our times have robbed you of your cradle”
2. “Sleep in a world your final step has woken”
3. “Learn from the dead”.

Question 7

In “Child of our Time” Boland writes, “Our times have robbed you of your cradle” Explain this quote.

Answer 7

This quote tackles the theme of War and Violence
This quote is a metaphor that illustrates that the inability of “responsible adults” to talk directly resulted in the undeserving death of this child.

Question 8

In “Child of our Time” Boland writes, “Sleep in a world your final step has woken” Explain this quote.

Answer 8

This quote tackles the theme of War and Violence
This quote adopts prayer-like language to express the hope that out of this Irish tragedy, a more peaceful world will be born.

Question 9

In “Child of our Time” Boland writes, “Learn from the dead” Explain this quote.

Answer 9

This quote tackles the theme of War and Violence
This quote is highlights the ironic situation that our society is so disturbed that adults must learn from dead children rather than the other way around.

Question 10

In “Famine Road” What quotes touch on the theme of The Oppression of Women?

Answer 10

1. “Take it well woman, grow your garden, keep the house”
2. “Never, Never”
3. “What is your body if not a famine road?”

Question 11

In “Famine Road” Boland writes, “Take it well woman, grow your garden, keep the house” Explain this quote.

Answer 11

This quote tackles the theme of The Oppression of Women
Here the doctor is apathetic and quick to reference gender roles highlighting his insensitivity to her situation.

Question 12

In “Famine Road” Boland writes, “Never, Never” Explain this quote.

Answer 12

This quote tackles the theme of The Oppression of Women
Here Boland employs repetition to further highlight the sheer brutality of the doctors lack of remorse.

Question 13

In “Famine Road” Boland writes, “What is your body if not a famine road?” Explain this quote.

Answer 13

This quote tackles the theme of The Oppression of Women
In patriarchal societies, women are percieved as primarily as mothers and carers. This rhetorical question is a metaphor comparing her to a “famine road” which is in essence calling her useless.

Question 14

In “Pomegranate” What quotes touch on the theme of The Oppresion of Women?

Answer 14

1. “The only legend I have ever loved is the story of a daughter lost in hell”
2. “The pomegranate! How did I forget it?”
3. “Winter”

Question 15

In “Pomegranate” Boland writes, “The only legend I have ever loved is the story of a daughter lost in hell” Explain this quote.

Answer 15

This quote tackles the theme of The Oppression of Women
The opening line of the poem references the story of Persephone, a female-centered story of suffering and oppression “hell”.

Question 16

In “Pomegranate” Boland writes, “The pomegranate! How did I forget it?” Explain this quote.

Answer 16

This quote tackles the theme of The Oppression of Women
The pomegranate is what binds Persephone to the underworld. It is symbolic of the choices women are forced to make, often under duress (threats or constraints).

Question 17

In “Pomegranate” Boland references, “Winter” numerous times. What does this imply.

Answer 17

This quote tackles the theme of The Oppression of Women
Winter throughout the poem is symbolic of emotional desolation, motherhood anxiety and the literal historic coldness faced by women’s voices.

Question 18

In “The Black Lace Fan my Mother Gave me” What quotes touch on the theme of Love & Marriage?

Answer 18

1. “She thought the distance smelled of rain and lightning”.
2. “Darkly picked, stitched boldly”.
3. “Is a worn-out underwater bullion”.

Question 19

In “The Black Lace Fan my Mother Gave me” Boland writes, “She thought the distance smelled of rain and lightening” Explain this quote.

Answer 19

This quote tackles the theme of Love and Marriage
This is a pathetic fallacy that highlights the stormy problematic relationships. But, the storm also overcast a heatwave diminishing it, this could been seen as representing an easing of tensions.

Question 20

In “The Black Lace Fan my Mother Gave me” Boland writes, “darkly picked, stitched boldly” Explain this quote.

Answer 20

This quote tackles the theme of Love and Marriage
This quote employs nice verbs and adverbs which captures the craftsmans’ skills and highlights the appreciation for the fan.

Question 21

In “The Black Lace Fan my Mother Gave me” Boland writes, “It is a worn-out, underwater bullion” Explain this quote.

Answer 21

This quote tackles the theme of Love and Marriage
This metaphor compares the fan to treasure in a literal sense while also conveying the rich, enduring nature of Love.

Question 22

In “The Shadow Doll” What quotes touch on the theme of Love & Marriage?

Answer 22

1. “Oyster gleam of the veil”.
2. “Under glass, Under wrap”.
3. “Astray”.

Question 23

In “The Shadow Doll” Boland writes, “Oyster gleam of the veil” Explain this quote.

Answer 23

This quote tackles the theme of Love and Marriage
Here Boland uses assonance aswell as an enchanting image to highlight the beauty of the dress.

Question 24

In “The Shadow Doll” Boland writes, “Under glass, under wrap” Explain this quote.

Answer 24

This quote tackles the theme of Love and Marriage
Here Boland uses repetition to highlight her claustrophobic, confining viewpoint on marriage.

Question 25

In "**The Shadow Doll**" Boland writes, "**astray**" Explain this quote.

Answer 25

This quote tackles the theme of **Love and Marriage** The specific choice of the word "astray" portrays Bolands feeling of loss, confusion and layer of despair rather eloquently.