Introduction: This poem comes from Heaney’s first autobiographical collection of poems Death of a Naturalist, and is hence similar to other poems found in the collection, such as the titular poem. This poem gives a vivid of picking blackberries. But it is really about hope and disappointment (how things never quite live up to our expectations) and blackberry picking becomes a metaphor for other experiences. Point 1 – Initial description of blackberries and references to blood and religious imagery Anticipation towards blackberries -

They would ripen for a full week “sweet” flesh creates desire – creates “lust” Ready to burst – similar to DoaN

Sense of adventure -

“Trekked” – long way – enjoyable journey

Main theme throughout the first stanza is the religious and blood imagery -

Constant references to blood + iambic pentameter suggests hearbeat Blood needed for vitality, represents life Wine has connotations to blood but simile hints at last supper “lust” was one of the seven deadly sins "With thorn pricks" – the crown of thorn worn by Jesus. This may imply the suffering that will befall later due to greed. Foreshadows second stanza

Impact of final metaphor of blood, “Bluebeard” -

Serial killer who murdered his wives Persona/Heaney looks down at hands and sees “peppered” as in bullets Causes this realisation – provides ominous tone leading into the second stanza Same as the “In rain” line in DoaN

Point 2 – Transience of innocence – reality of bitter experiences and things in life that have to be dealt with “filled we found a fur” – heavy “f” sound mirrors disappointment. “wasn’t fair” -

Nature isn’t fair – thinks it’s cruel although it’s a natural part of nature He was greedy, wastes blackberries as he doesn’t eat them all, realises the cyclical nature of life and death and his parallels with Bluebeard. Emotional response “crying” – regret over wrong doing “lust” human beings are never satisfied

“rat-grey fungus”

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Rats have been associated with fear – he is afraid when he realises picking blackberries kills them + conjures a sinister feel to the death of the blackberries Grey shows bleakness and disappointment

Rhyming couplet on final line makes it have a larger impact – reality of a situation that must be dealt with Point 3 – Deeper meaning of the poem Title: The title Blackberry-Picking holds a similar purpose to the title of Heaney’s other work, Mid-Term Break. The seemingly innocent title misleads readers regarding the intent of the poem as it initially gives the impression of a fun, enjoyable activity. This intensifies the effect of the poem on the readers when this impression is subverted by the end of the poem as the final stanza provides explicit descriptions of the decay that the berries undergo and the disgust that Heaney feels towards it. Overall, this poem is about disappointment but many different possible interpretations -

Religious symbols parallel Jesus dying on the cross.

Poem is about a summer fling: You could also come to believe this poem to be about a summer romance. It starts with "Late August" and there are definite sexual references (i.e. he mentions the "lust for picking"). Like any relationship, however, it is not without pain and the peppered hands are referring to the fact that though it was a sweet relationship it had holes and could not last. At the end when the fruit rots he says "Each year I hoped they'd keep, knew they would not." Though it would be nice if summer romances lasted they don't. this poem is just one extended sexual metaphor. The blackberries represent pure women and after a while they "turn sour." Heaney is always left unsatisfied by the loss of innocence and purity in women. Many of Heaney’s poems contain sexual metaphors, so this poem is no surprise. If the poem is about loss of innocence – it could very well be sexual: Sexual references This entire poem is about sex and the loss of innocence. The berries are a representation of no matter how hard we try to hold on to our childish innocence, we all inevitably loose it. It can't be helped

This poem is an allegory for life. One goes through life "Black berry picking" and while there are hard times and good times, in the end you die. However, impending death does not affect the life that one had. This that is why he still did it every summer picked the blackberrys, knowing the would not keep. Life does not last forever, Cherish it! Overall theme is disappointment – is disappointment worth initial happiness? Conclusion Whilst the poem has so many interpretations, I think it is just what it says on the tin – a childhood experience where Heaney grew up etc