How is the Theme of Relationships explored in Gillian Clarkes ‘Catrin’, another Clarke Poem and Two Heaney Poems?
Relationships can be portrayed through biological links, friendships and bonds between subjects of connotations and meaning. The intention of both poets is mainly to portray the strengths and weaknesses behind all bonds and the effect they encompass on the reader. Poets have the power to create, transform and enlighten upon a subject that may seem appropriate, but a relation amid love and hate can neither create nor destroy; the power of emotion will never subside through poetry. The exploration of Clarke and Heaney’s poems will later be discovered when travelling the rendered emotions of ‘Catrin’, ‘Baby-sitting’’, ‘Follower’ and ‘Death of a Naturalist’.
The mentioned poets use their personal experiences and perform the meaning of them using a conversion of techniques and influences. This is to enhance the importance to the reader of the purpose of the poem. Amongst the stated poems, the theme of biological and non-biological relationships can be declared as a core factor for the strength and duration of a bond. Clarke’s ‘Catrin’ is structured as an image of a tug-of-war between mother and baby, whilst resembling the struggle of the love for one another and what binds mother and baby together. “The tight/ Red rope of love which we both fought over” foreshadows this idea. The depth of explanatory vision can be seen as the umbilical cord which is later cut at birth creating an image of separation and division alongside the child becoming independent. All mothers face times when separation would benefit their child, but the safety and dangers that may be confronted, form a barrier for this dependency. The struggle faced in this maternal relationship, hold powerful emotions and deep-felt feelings ‘From the heart’s pool’. The poem introduces a personal quality with the title ‘Catrin’ but is then not mentioned again throughout the poem. This can be represented as a very personal relationship that does not have the need to direct but contain an unmentioned bond. However it could also resemble a relationship between any particular mother and child, giving the poem a sense of universality. The language used is simple and recognisable, which indicates the simple sincere emotions that are intended to be conveyed through the poem. The poem’s structure is two unbalanced stanzas, both performed in the past and present; an emphasis of how the relationship is still as intense from birth. A similar relationship based on a father: son bond is Heaney’s ‘Follower’ where Heaney both literally and metaphorically followed his father. The basic six stanza poem represent a clear division between father and son; three stanzas each. Heaney states how he imitates his father, following in his father’s footsteps, enhancing the biological bond and respect Heaney has for his father. Also, throughout the poem, the correct agricultural language can be found, highlighting the need Heaney felt to praise his father with respect as well as knowledge of his profession, and the future Heaney longed to pursue. The mother and child maternal bond can be perceived in Clarke’s poem, ‘‘Baby-sitting’’. Here, a non-biological bond of the strengths and adoration of a natural mother and child bond is shown to be instinctive between the characters but has occurred naturally and the anxiety Clarke feels towards another child she does not know. To be enchanted by your own baby’s breathe is a natural and maternal sentiment however, Clarke describes that “there will be no chemistry or familiarity between them”. The finality of this poem can be seen as indefinite for it suggests both literally that no milk will come but also a metaphor of how the motherly ‘milk-familiar comforting’, the connection ‘will not come’ therefore she cannot totally provide for the child.
