What do u think of the poem ...?

Question

The Early Purges by Seamus Heaney ????

Answer 1

This poem is far deeper than many might imagine. On the face of it, it shows how those who live with death come to accept the need for it. A farm, where animals are bred for slaughter, where they are treated as future meat on the table, the concept of killing and death are held in a different, more practical light. Whereas in town, where all they see is the finished product, where they are removed from the deeds that bring meat to the table, they have the luxury of espousing the sanctity of life and wax long on the avoidance of "cruelty". He also does this well when he says "cuts ice in town"; he uses a popular expression to denote the difference between a town where ice may be found and a farm where no such luxury existed.

However, the poem's title implies something even deeper; "The Early Purges" refers to a concept of the necessity of ridding a society of "pests", only these pests are not rats, cats or dogs, they are human pests who are treated as if they are rats, cats or dogs. Those who see the logic and necessity of running a farm by killing pests, by extension, should see similar logic in the requirement for ridding a society of similar ills, and those who say the purges are cruel, inhuman, or unnecessary, are the same people who care about the fate of rats, cats or dogs on a farm.

It may be a slippery slope on which to trod, but the poem makes a case for the logic of these purges, as well as the reason behind those who oppose such action.

thanks for sharing

Answer 2

I just read it. At first I thought it was just gruesome then after reading it again I realised that the shock had a purpose. It is an insight into human nature. How the natural shock of witnessing a cruel act can over time be diluted because it is accepted as normal. Also it shows a contrast between the 'bleeding heart' emotions of animal rights activists and the approach of people who attach no emotions at all to what they perceive as practical tasks that simply need to be done.

Answer 3

I never heard of it, but it sounds nice though!!! It sorda sounds like crap. XD