The+Forge

=__The Forge__= =__By: Seamus Haeney__=



To beat real iron out, to work the bellows.
=__**Symbols**__=

Darkness- Adds a tone of mystery to the piece. Perhaps also commenting on the onset of the end of blacksmithing.

Rusting metal- Relating that the profession of blacksmithing is dying, since there is no one to by his hand-crafted hoops and axles, anymore.

Anvil- Described as a unicorn and an immovable unicorn. Aggrandizing the profession of blacksmithing, the narrator greatly admires this blacksmith.

Blacksmith- In a leather apron, with hairs in his nose, beating out real iron, the narrator is portraying him as masculine and tough.

=__Form__=

The Forge is free verse. Perhaps this reflects the gruff masculinity of the profession.

The rhyme scheme is ABBACDDCXEXEXE. It is unorthodox, again, maybe reflecting the masculinity the narrator finds in the work of blacksmithing.

=__**Interpretations**__=

I believe that this poem is a criticism of modernity. I believe this because it goes out of its way to ennoble this ancient profession. Haeney must believe that such personal and hard work is more dignified than the factory work that replaced it.

An intriguing idea I found was that the unnamed narrator might be the blacksmith's son. The darkness would then symbolize that this work that he admires so much will be unattainable, an inheritance he cannot receive because the changing world has no need of blacksmiths anymore.

1. Calling the anvil an altar and unicorn has what effect? a. Praising the worksmanship of the anvil. b. Glorifying blacksmithing c. Mystifying the scene d. Making a classical allusion

2. The narrator believes that blacksmithing is... a. Humble b. Useful c. Unneeded d. Dignified

3. The leather apron symbolizes... a. Dependence on and connection with nature b. Masculinity c. How blacksmiths are obsolete d. How metal workers are tough

4. Why does the blacksmith grunt on the lambast? a. People don't need his work anymore. b. The traffic outside distracts him from his work. c. His son cannot be a blacksmith. d. He is tired of working.

5. What time period might this piece be based in? a. The Industrial Revolution. b. The coming of cars to the common people. c. The Black Death. d. World War One.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/mar/18/seamus-heaney-david-cohen http://criticsandbuilders.typepad.com/aplitblog/2011/11/the-forge-seamus-heaney.html http://cropcirclers.blogspot.com/2006/03/forge-by-seamus-heaney-all-i-know-is.html