A poem’s deeper meaning is rarely apparent on the surface. Poems, however small or large typically have an ambiguous message. The true beauty of a poem is that they are open for the interpretation. Ellen Hunnicutt, the author of the original “Blackberries,” inspired many others to write poems on the subject of blackberries. Similar to some extent, Robert Hass’, “Picking Blackberries with a Friend Who has Been Reading Jacques Lacan” and Seamus Haeney’s, “Blackberry-picking” share a variety of common ground. Both poems are literally similar as well as figuratively.
Beginning with a literal comparison, the title. “Picking Blackberries…” and “Blackberry-picking” both used the action word of picking. This may come across as a minute similarity; however, it is not. “Picking” represents a memory of a past action or a past time. Although “Picking Blackberries with a Friend Who Has Been Reading Jacques Lacan” was written in present tense, Robert Hass is looking back to his past. The poem, “Picking Blackberries with a Friend Who Has Been Reading Jacques Lacan,” makes reference to there being a drought. Despite the drought, the “Juice gathers in the berries.
” The drought can be seen as a dark or negative period in a person’s life. Juice still gathers in the berries and can be looked at as optimism. Regardless of the drought, the juice gathering in the berries is similar to there being “a light at the end of the tunnel. ” It symbolizes hope and having something to look forward to throughout difficult times. The weather in “ Blackberry-picking” can also be viewed as a reference to life. “Blackberry-picking” offers a dramatic change in weather conditions. Not only does “heavy rain and sun for a full week” signify the weather changes, but much more the Ups- and- Downs of life.
The Essay on Blackberry Picking Vivid Diction
In Seamus Heaney's "Blackberry-Picking" the use of vivid diction, juicy imagery, infantile rhythm, and simple form conveys to the reader the deeper meaning of life's own mortality and childhood's innocence through the literal description of a memorable adolescent experience. The poems simple form engulfs the reader into an almost reminiscent conversation with an adult reflecting on a childhood ...
Both poems recognize the struggles in everyday life. At this point both authors are optimistic. “Blackberry-picking” and “Picking Blackberries with a Friend Who Has Been Reading Jacques Lacan” are both set in August. August bears the end of the summer months, and symbolizes the middle years of one’s life. Although very different, each poem offers a sense of nostalgia. “Blackberry-Picking” by Seamus Haeney, is a more depressing poem in which the author submerges himself into his younger years when he would pick blackberries in late August. This poem ultimately illustrates the destruction of greed.
The author explained hoarding fresh berries until one day “when the bath was filled, found a fur, a rat-grey fungus. ” This represents the idea that nothing good lasts. No matter how much a person can obtain, nothing will stand the test of time (except diamonds).
“Picking Blackberries with a Friend Who Has Been Reading Jacques Lacan,” is written in much better spirits. Robert Hass reminisces of picking blackberries in his youth while picking blackberries with his friend, Charlie. Charlie explains that picking blackberries reminds his of a joyous time during his childhood where his biggest worry was his stained tongue.
Conversely, in “Blackberry-picking” was negative. It showed the stress of constant worry. The author had to worry about berries rotting and no matter how hard they tried; they could never keep their berries perfect. Also, no matter the weather, there were always sour blackberries. The poems, “Picking Blackberries with a Friend Who Has Been Reading Jacques Lacan” and “Blackberry-picking” have different tones. Although there are many similarities between the two poems, the underlining meanings are very different.
