Silent Expressions of Love: Analysis of "When all the others were away at Mass" by Seamus Heaney
"When all the others were away at Mass" by Seamus Heaney explores the silent yet profound bond between a mother and son, highlighting how ordinary moments hold deep meaning. The poem, structured as a sonnet, transitions from a childhood memory to the moment of the mother's death, emphasizing the importance of everyday experiences. Heaney's skillful use of sound effects enhances the narrative, making the ordinary extraordinary through alliteration, assonance, and onomatopoeia.
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When all the others were away at Mass by Seamus Heaney
Key themes how love is expressed silently between a mother and son. how the ordinary moments in life can be the most meaningful.
Style: sonnet A sonnet is a 14 line poem. It is often divided into an octet and a sestet. The octet contains a description of a childhood memory between Heaney and his mother. The sestet recalls the moment of his mother s death and contains a message about the importance of ordinary moments.
Style: sound effects Heaney uses alliteration Cold comforts and assonance between us gleaming in a bucket of clean water to create music in the poem. There is also onomatopoeia. We can hear the splashes of the potatoes as they fall into the water. The droning noise of the prayers is captured in hammer and tongs . Heaney s use of sound effects helps to make an ordinary moment extraordinary.
