Class notes
Patrick Kavanagh- Shancoduff
- Course
- Institution
This is a comprehensive analysis of Kavanagh's Shancoduff. It includes structural and linguistic analysis.
[Show more]
Seller
Follow
ncarlin1998
Reviews received
Content preview
SHANCODUFF This poem has many features that are typical of Kavanagh
Place names
Local vernacular
Self-deprecation
Hyperbole used for humour
Erudite allusions coupled with simpler language
Ambivalence to place
FORM AND STRUCTURE
The poem consists of 3stanzas each made up of 5 lines
There are some rhymes and half rhymes but the poem does not have a regular rhyme scheme.
This creates the rhythms of the natural speaking voice
The irregularity of the rhyme scheme and rhythm creates a conversational style
Kavanagh uses simple conversational language
LANAGUGE AND IMAGERY
Title
The use of place names is typical of Kavanagh
The Gaelic mellifluous sounding place names emphasises Kavanagh’s identity with and love
of place
Body of Poem
Stanza 1
Line 1: The possessive pronoun “My” suggests Kavanagh’s identification with place. The
dark imagery “black hills” evokes an unappealing aesthetic and suggests the monotony of the
landscape. The emphatic use of negative “never” suggests that the landscape is characterised
by darkness. The personification of the landscape emphasises the empathy and intimate
relationship between farmer and place. The lack of sun implies a sense of bleakness in the
landscape
Line 2: The adverb “Eternally” implies that as long as Kavanagh remains in Shancoduff,
things will never change. The position of the adverb emphasises the perpetual state of the
poet. The reference to “Armagh” is very important. In Ancient Irish culture, Armagh was a
major city. There is a suggestion of the inferiority of rural Monaghan. The personification of
the Monaghan landscape may be an outward reflection of Kavanagh’s own sense of
inferiority and subordination
Line 3: The comic subversion of the biblical allusion to “Lot’s wife” implies the parochial
nature of the place and suggests they are slightly inward looking.
Line 4: The repetition of “black hills” coupled with the positive adjective “happy” suggests
Kavanagh’s ambivalence towards the place
Line 5: The clashing images of darkness in the previous line and luminosity in “dawn
whitens” contrasts the darkness of the Shancoduff landscape with the lighter, south-facing
Glassdrummond parish. The light imagery also implies faith and religion. There is an
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller ncarlin1998. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $4.56. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
Can Stuvia be trusted?
4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)
64438 documents were sold in the last 30 days
Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy study notes for 14 years now