Studypod

The Dublin/Monaghan bombings took place on the 17th May 1974. In one of the most violent moments of The Troubles, 33 people were killed in four car bombs that exploded in quick succession between the two counties.Boland was inspired to write this poem after a photograph she saw in a newspaper in the aftermath of the bombings. The photograph depicted a child killed in the explosion in the held in the arms of a fireman.In May 1974 the poem was then published in The Irish Times.As a poet, it makes sense that Boland chooses to discuss the failure of language and how this is what led to the violence. The lack of communication and failure to deal with political issues, she believes, has led people this point.

This short, cinematic poem by Boland is a great place to start with her work.The length of the poem, as well as it’s clear and concise language make it easy to remember which is ideal given how much you are required to remember by exam time.

This is a particularly sombre poem from Boland, it is also unusually crafted.In this episode we go through the stylistic techniques she uses and the at times harrowing images throughout the poem.In The Famine Road we see Boland covering two themes she frequently uses in her work, the oppression of women and Irish history.

The first of Eavan Boland's poems we will be looking at is The War Horse.A poem that is great to have in your arsenal for an exam as it lots to discuss including rich imagery, style as well as one of the many themes Boland returns to again and again in her work, her opposition to violence.

In this first episode of Studypod we dip into the life of Eavan Boland as when it comes to writing about poets on the course it is often useful to know a little about them and the time they lived in. It gives some context to their work as well as creating a deeper understanding of why they are so focussed on certain themes.