Analysis On How Do You Respond To Mid-Term Break

How Do You Respond To Mid-Term Break? What techniques does Heaney use?

Having read the title Mid-Term Break, I assumed that the poem

Having read the title ‘Mid-Term Break’, I assumed that the poem was about a student’s holiday abroad or something similar, however as I progressed through reading the play, I realized that it had a different meaning. The poem has a very deceiving title, a mid-term break is supposed to be a joyous time of holiday but here Heaney must deal with the death of a family member. This misleading title is the first technique used by Heaney to attract the attention of the reader. The poem is also told in first person and this gives the effect that the emotions come straight from the boy to the reader. We

respond

It is tranquil and has a serenity feeling in it with the ‘snowdrops’ a feeling of innocence and purity. This atmosphere contrasts to the atmosphere outside the bedroom, chaos and down heartened emotions. The last line, the most effective, ‘A four foot box, a foot for every year’ confirms who died. This last line came as a shock but still remains as an image in my mind.

I find this a very dramatic poem not only is it an extremely moving and touching poem, but also a very melancholic one. I guess that this is exactly what Heaney wanted to express to the readers. Mid-Term

Break portrays children as being innocent and insecure when dealing with a distressing event, such as death. It illustrates the dependency children have, as Seamus Heaney is seeking comfort, 'as my mother held my hand'. This poem expresses the uncertainty children possess in difficult situations and depicts strong emotions on a very sensitive subject. Much of the power of the poem comes from the idea of a child trying to understand the death of another child and although all children may not be able to relate to idea of a sibling dying, I’m sure most children would be able to relate to idea of somebody