'Nettles' by Vernon Scannell


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My son aged three fell in the nettle bed.
'Bed' seemed a curious name for those green spears,
That regiment of spite behind the shed:
It was no place for rest. With sobs and tears
The boy came seeking comfort and I saw
White blisters beaded on his tender skin.
We soothed him till his pain was not so raw.
At last he offered us a watery grin,
And then I took my billhook, honed the blade
And went outside and slashed in fury with it
Till not a nettle in that fierce parade
Stood upright any more. And then I lit
A funeral pyre to burn the fallen dead,
But in two weeks the busy sun and rain
Had called up tall recruits behind the shed:
My son would often feel sharp wounds again.


Submitted by Andrew Mayers

Editor 1 Interpretation

Nettles by Vernon Scannell: A Critical Analysis

Are there any parents out there who have ever watched their child fall, then cry, and then felt the frustration of not being able to take the pain away? If you have, then Vernon Scannell’s poem, “Nettles,” is a must-read.

“Nettles” is a poem that tells the story of a father who is both frustrated and heartbroken after watching his child get hurt. The poem is a reflection on how, as a parent, one can never truly protect their child from harm. It is a poem that speaks to the vulnerability of parenthood and the limits of our power.

In this critical analysis, we will take a deeper look at the poem “Nettles” by Vernon Scannell. We will examine the themes, the symbolism, the language, and the structure of the poem to better understand its meaning and significance.

Themes

At its core, “Nettles” is a poem about parenthood and the pain that comes with it. The poem explores the theme of protection and the limits of a parent's power to shield their child from harm. Throughout the poem, the father is depicted as being frustrated and helpless in the face of his child's injury.

The poem also explores the theme of nature and the role it plays in our lives. The nettles themselves symbolize the unpredictable and uncontrollable forces of nature that can cause harm to those we love. The way the nettles continue to grow back even after being cut down represents the cyclical nature of life and the inevitability of pain and suffering.

Finally, the poem touches on the theme of perseverance and resilience. Despite the father's frustration and helplessness, he does not give up. He continues to fight against the nettles, determined to protect his child from harm.

Symbolism

One of the most striking features of “Nettles” is its use of symbolism. The nettles themselves are the most obvious symbol in the poem. They represent the pain and harm that can come from nature. The way they continue to grow back even when cut down symbolizes the cyclical nature of life and the inevitability of pain and suffering.

Another symbol in the poem is the child. While the child is not explicitly described, they represent innocence and vulnerability. The father's desperate attempts to protect the child from harm highlight the fragility of innocence and the need for protection.

Finally, the poem uses the garden as a symbol. The garden is a place of both beauty and danger, representing the unpredictable and uncontrollable forces of nature.

Language

Scannell's use of language is powerful and evocative. He creates vivid imagery that conveys the pain and frustration of the father. The poem is written in simple, direct language, which makes it all the more effective.

For example, when the father first sees the nettles, Scannell writes:

"My son aged three fell in the nettle bed.
'Bed' seemed a curious name for those green spears,
That regiment of spite behind the shed:
It was no place for rest. With sobs and tears
The boy came seeking comfort and I saw
White blisters beaded on his tender skin."

Here, the language is simple and direct, which adds to the sense of urgency and immediacy.

Structure

The structure of “Nettles” is simple and straightforward. The poem consists of six stanzas, each containing four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, which creates a sense of unity and coherence.

The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, describing the father's frustration and helplessness. The second and third stanzas describe the nettles and their impact on the child. The fourth stanza describes the father's response, as he tries to protect his child from harm. The fifth stanza describes the father's persistence, as he continues to fight against the nettles. The final stanza serves as a conclusion, reflecting on the cyclical nature of life and the inevitability of pain and suffering.

Conclusion

In conclusion, “Nettles” is a powerful and evocative poem that speaks to the vulnerability of parenthood and the limits of our power to protect those we love. Through its use of symbolism, language, and structure, the poem conveys a sense of urgency and immediacy that is both poignant and stirring.

As a final thought, it is worth reflecting on the poem's message. While we may not be able to protect our children from harm, we can still be there for them. We can love them, support them, and help them to persevere in the face of adversity. And in the end, that may be the most important thing we can do.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Nettles by Vernon Scannell is a classic poem that has been studied and analyzed by students and scholars alike for decades. The poem is a powerful and emotional exploration of the pain and suffering that can be caused by something as seemingly insignificant as a patch of nettles. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism used by Scannell to create a vivid and memorable poem.

The poem begins with a simple and straightforward description of a patch of nettles that has grown in the poet's garden. The nettles are described as "green spears" that "stood out like spiked cactus" against the brown earth. This description sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with vivid and evocative imagery.

The first stanza of the poem is focused on the physical appearance of the nettles, but the second stanza shifts the focus to the emotional impact that they have on the poet. The nettles are described as "fierce" and "regimented" and the poet notes that they "hurt" him. This shift in focus is important because it sets up the central theme of the poem, which is the idea that even small things can cause great pain.

The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. In this stanza, the poet describes how he went out into the garden to cut down the nettles, but he was stung by them. He describes the pain as "white blisters" that "stood ready to burst." This description is both vivid and visceral, and it helps to convey the intensity of the pain that the poet is feeling.

The fourth stanza of the poem is where the symbolism really comes into play. The poet describes how he went to get a remedy for the pain, but he found that the nettles had "recruits" that were growing up around them. This is a powerful metaphor for the idea that pain and suffering can be cyclical. Just when we think we have overcome one obstacle, another one appears.

The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most hopeful. The poet describes how he was able to cut down the nettles and destroy them, but he also notes that they will "come again" in the spring. This is a powerful reminder that even though we may be able to overcome our pain and suffering in the short term, it is always lurking in the background, waiting to resurface.

Overall, Nettles by Vernon Scannell is a powerful and emotional exploration of the pain and suffering that can be caused by even the smallest things. The poem is filled with vivid and evocative imagery, and it uses symbolism to convey its central message. Whether you are a student studying this poem for the first time or a seasoned scholar, there is no denying the power and beauty of Scannell's words.

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