History with Derek Mahon Essay

History is a subject which preoccupies Mahon in m about(prenominal) an(prenominal) of his most important numberss. I would choose particular poems because of his view towards our chronicle and the away. His poetry presents history in a very negative light. Mahon sees the noncurrent as deep-delving, dark, deliberate you would say. In the poem Rathlin Mahon recalls historical rage on an island that is now a sanctuary of peace and through with history. However this island in the past has witnessed unspeakable military force with the massacre of the Rathlin women. He speaks of the unnatural silence on the island gradually becoming natural all over the years through the island not being inhabited. Come the end of the poem Mahon is unsure whether the succeeding(a) lies before us or behind. Whether the military force is now behind us or is violence a move part of our future?In Mahons Poem Kinsale there is a take in and a long awaited moment of light and hope. The opening posi tion of this poem was an optimistic thought from Mahon himself by saying, the kind of rain we knew is a thing of the past. The use of externalizery in this poem is both(prenominal) vivid and warming. The image of Yachts tinkling and dancing in the bay is a striking image as it is both beautiful and positively uplifting. The cheerfulness is a direct contrast to the rain. The sun is an image of hope and the future forbidden to no-one while the rain is the constant reminder of a violence filled history. Although Mahon showed a slight sense of hope he is eternally overcome with those who have come so far in wickedness and in pain.In the poem A Disused exuviate in Co. Wexford he uses the metaphor of mushrooms neglected in a bedevil to represent the victims of history. Please note This is not an example of text written by our writers Essaypedia.com is a database of essays that were collected at open web resources. You feces use them at you own risk following the citation rules b elow. scarce we recommend you to order a custom plagiarism-free essay written in effect(p) for you from one of our writers. Place an order, add your paper details and enjoy the results You can keep in touch with your writer, check the draft of your paper and trip out your order for revision for free. If you are hesitating to place an order safe ask for a quote However the both extraordinary and fabulous picture of mushrooms with feelings is not the barely reason I would choose this poem.Mahon uses the image of mushrooms neglected and forgotten to portray the misery and despair of thousands of victims who have died or survived the torturous past. They are begging us you see to not kibosh them or forget what they have been through. Even the most insignificant spate in history still deserve the recognition for their struggle. Small heroes from the past In their wordless way are saying Let not our nave labours have gone in vain. Mahon also deals owing(p)ly with the theme of iso lation in this poem. The mushrooms are completely cut discharge from the world and their only form of light Is a keyhole rusting softly after rain.The theme of isolation is also portrayed in the poem Grandfather. The Grandfather in the poem has completely unaffectionate himself from family and friends. discreetly up to no in effect(p) he leaves the house in the dawning and does not return until After dark. However nothing gets by this grandfather, Nothing escapes him, he escapes us all. His shrewd eyes xerox the door to his life and he would rather not be fazed by anyone or anything. Another good choice of poem viscous with the theme of isolation would be After the Titanic. In this poem the portion of Bruce Ismay is overcome with guilt and as a result has completely isolated himself from the world. This poem is a favourite of mine also because Mahon writes in the voice of Ismay so brilliantly.Include me in your lamentations was the final line of this poem and it sums up wha t Ismay was asking for. Like the mushrooms in A Disused shed in Co. Wexford he wanted to be remembered just like those who had died in the sink of the titanic. He believed he sank as far that night as any hero as his life and soul died that night. He watched the ship go thundering down and with it went his costly life. He now stays in bed and will see no-one. Mahon allows the reader to become Bruce Ismay if only for a minute. It is amazing reading this poem. The poem Antarctica is also a great example of Mahons ability of writing in a variety of personas.In this poem Mahon writes in the persona of captain Lawrence Oates an explorer who gave his life for the lives of his expletive men. I am just going outside and may be some time are said to be his final words. Mahons deals greatly with the theme of people in this poem. He shows that there is good in man kind and At the heart of the ridiculous, the sublime.Mahon shows that even in the worst instances of isolation imaginable, trudg ing utterly alone, to his death Oates action may search entirely ridiculous but in this case it is somewhat heroic. commonwealth in life may make some pretty misguided decisions but there might always be a good outcome. The poetry of Derek Mahon is poetry that one could not live without. With this collection of providential pieces his poetry will continue through generations and linger in peoples minds for some time, In fact forever.