Punishment
Seamus Heaney
Question: How does the poet describe the punishment of the girl in the poem,
“Punishment’’? What is the poet’s reaction to the punishment?
10
or
Question: “Seamus Heaney has criticised society’s attitude and treatment towards
women”. Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer.
10
or
Question: Make a critical assessment of the poem, “Punishment”.
10
or
Question: Give, after the poet, a description of the young girl’s punishment in the poem,
“Punishment”.
10
Answer:
‘Punishment’ is a remarkable poem written by Seamus Heaney which deals
with the brutality of tribal men. The discovery of a dead body of a young girl inspired the
poet to write this poem. It is believed that the girl was killed on the charge of adultery. She
was punished and killed and then, thrown into a bog. When the girl was punished, she was
pulled with a rope from her neck. She was made naked. The girl was trembling with cold. Her
whole body was shaking. Finally, she was buried alive. Her body was covered with stones,
rods and boughs.
The poet expresses his sorrow and pity for the girl. He says the girl “My poor
scapegoat”. It indicates that the girl is alone made responsible for the crime of adultery. Her
partner is not punished because he is male. She alone is punished for her sin, she became a
scapegoat. Here, the poet criticises the attitude of the society towards women. In a male
dominated society a woman has to face the cruel treatment of the society.
The poet feels that the girl may have been in love with a British soldier. The poet
makes it clear that she was killed on the charge of adultery, but this adultery for doing “love”
is not a crime.
In the poem, the poet claims to be in love with that girl. But, he shows his
helplessness that he could do nothing to save the girl. He plays the role of passive observer.
He admits that he would be guilty of being silent. He should have spoken up to stop the
punishment.
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Question: Discuss the significance of the title of Heaney’s poem, “Punishment”. 10
Answer:
‘Punishment’ is a remarkable poem written by Seamus Heaney which deals
with the brutality of tribal men. The discovery of a dead body of a young girl inspired the
poet to write this poem. It is believed that the girl was killed on the charge of adultery. She
was punished and killed and then, thrown into a bog. When the girl was punished, she was
pulled with a rope from her neck. She was made naked. The girl was trembling with cold. Her
whole body was shaking. Finally, she was buried alive. Her body was covered with stones,
rods and boughs.
The poet expresses his sorrow and pity for the girl. He says the girl “My poor
scapegoat”. It indicates that the girl is alone made responsible for the crime of adultery. Her
partner is not punished because he is male. She alone is punished for her sin, she became a
scapegoat.
The poet feels that the girl may have been in love with a British soldier. The poet
makes it clear that she was killed on the charge of adultery, but this adultery for doing “love”
is not a crime.
In the poem, the poet claims to be in love with that girl. But, he shows his
helplessness that he could do nothing to save the girl. He plays the role of passive observer.
He admits that he would be guilty of being silent. He should have spoken up to stop the
punishment.
The title of the poem is appropriate and significant. The poem deals with the cruel
punishment suffered by a young woman. The poet ironically criticises the attitude of the
society towards women. In a male dominated society a woman always has to face the cruel
treatment of the society. She only has to face the punishment.
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Question: How does Heaney comment on the culture and human nature of Ireland
through the poem, “Punishment”?
Answer:
10
‘Punishment’ is a remarkable poem written by Seamus Heaney which deals
with the brutality of tribal men. The discovery of a dead body of a young girl inspired the
poet to write this poem. It is believed that the girl was killed on the charge of adultery. She
was punished and killed and then, thrown into a bog. When the girl was punished, she was
pulled with a rope from her neck. She was made naked. The girl was trembling with cold. Her
whole body was shaking. Finally, she was buried alive. Her body was covered with stones,
rods and boughs.
The poet expresses his sorrow and pity for the girl. He says the girl “My poor
scapegoat”. It indicates that the girl is alone made responsible for the crime of adultery. Her
partner is not punished because he is male. She alone is punished for her sin, she became a
scapegoat. Here, the poet criticises the attitude of the society towards women. In a male
dominated society a woman has to face the cruel treatment of the society.
In the poem, the poet claims to be in love with that girl. But, he shows his
helplessness that he could do nothing to save the girl. He plays the role of passive observer.
He admits that he would be guilty of being silent. He should have spoken up to stop the
punishment.
The poet Seamus Heaney is an Irish poet. He mostly engages with Irish culture,
tradition or the convention. In Ireland Irish girls who married British soldiers were brutally
killed by Irish Revolutionary Armies. The poet feels that this Irish girl may have been in love
with a British soldier. The poet makes it clear that she was killed on the charge of adultery,
but this adultery for doing “love” is not a crime. He compares brutality of the Irish
Revolutionary Army with that of primitive men. He exposes the dark side of human history in
Irish culture.
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Prepared by
Gautam Goswami
Asst. Prof. in English
Tihu College, Tihu