Seamus Heaney - Exposure

Written in 1975, the last poem of North - Exposure explores Heaney’s discomfort of his role and place in the Irish society as a poet. In writing this poem, Heaney tries to come to terms with himself and by extension, his worth as a poet. The poem itself is, to an extent, a self analysis, as Heaney poses a series of questions in the psychological fight to distinguish himself as a public figure, yet simply another individual. Heaney questions: who is he writing for, who is he needing to represent – the entire Irish community or just the minorities, and ultimately, what is his place in society?

The poem Exposure depicts Heaney’s discomfort of his role as a poet, unsure of his place in society. He expresses his frustration as he fights for a definition of self and to distinguish himself between the public image he portrays and his personal reality. The poem opens, ‘It is December in Wicklow.’ Wicklow is a place in the Republic that Heaney moves to, to escape the political and socio-cultural pressure exerted on him in Northern Ireland. December is winter in Ireland, characterised by its wet weather, it is also the end of a year. This sets up a peaceful and tranquil scene providing a time for self-reflection. It is a rainy, wintry month, the ‘alders [are] dripping,’ the ‘birches’ are fighting for the ‘last light,’ and ‘the ash tree’ is bare, too cold ‘to look at.’ These different types of trees are metaphorical. Alders are resistant to water-rot and very frequently used in the building of bridges. This acts as a symbolism for his writing, his poetry, he is able to form a bridge between himself and the people of Ireland. The birches are common in the North; they are metaphorical for those resilient individuals who fight for their voice to be heard, like the trees which fight for the last bit of sunshine available.

 

In the stanzas following, Heaney contemplates his position in society as a poet. The persona, by extension Heaney, likens himself to ‘a comet.’ Not any comet, but a comet ‘that [is] lost.’ Though the comet is part of a wide universe, it is alone. This echoes Heaney’s concerns. He feels as though he is part of the wider community of Ireland, yet he feels psychologically separated from all. He feels his voice cannot be heard, amongst the masses, that it is covered by ‘those million tons of light.’ A hyperbole is used here to depict the insignificance of the comet in universe, and therefore Heaney in society. He feels worthless. Instead, Heaney wishes for a meteorite. There is a change in tone from the second stanza to the third. The comet ‘visible at sunset’ is expected, it ‘should’ appear. Yet, the ‘falling star’ only ‘sometimes’ appears. The former is expected, whilst the latter is unpredictable. Heaney himself admires the meteorite, the ‘falling star.’ This is shown through the use of the exclamation mark. Unlike the comet which typically follows a cycle, a meteorite is free, it does not need to abide to a marked trail. Rather, it is able to float and fall whenever and wherever it wishes. This is metaphoric for Heaney, he wants to be able to express himself freely. Yet, the political circumstances in Northern Ireland do not allow for such, it forces him to choose sides, to be the voice for politics. Here, Heaney poses an important question – is he simply another insignificant individual pushed around by politics or is he a powerful figure able to freely voice his own thoughts?

In the next two stanzas, Heaney ponders his role as a poet. He repetitively asks ‘How did end up like this?’ There is a certain degree of torment shown through this as he sits, ‘weighing and weighing’ his worth. This repetition places emphasis on his vulnerable psychological state. There is a subtle change of mood, from confusion to sadness. The kind of sadness that resonates from self exile. Heaney is psychologically exiled, isolated from all groups of individuals as he is unable to satisfy the demands of one, without conflicting with the ‘anvil brains of some who hate [him].’ Heaney is frustrated that he is unable to change the perceptions of those people, close minded and devoted to their own beliefs. Once again, he questions his role as a poet, ‘For [whom]’ is he writing the poems for? ‘For the ear? For the people? For what is said behind backs?’ The ‘ear’ represents the parts of the whole, the minorities within society, like the Catholic. ‘The people’ refers to the Irish society as one and the last is making references to the divisions within society. Heaney questions himself as to who he is to please, who he serves – the minority, the various political groups or the society as a whole. 

‘Rain comes down through the alders,’ it is almost an epiphany as Heaney makes reference to the beginning of the poem. This time, the words are more definitive. Instead of the ‘alders dripping,’ he clearly states that it is the rain that makes it so. This shows a progression of thought. Here, hope is shown as Heaney gradually comes to terms with himself. He realises, despite the rain causing ‘let-downs and erosions,’ it is able to ‘[recall] the diamond absolutes.’ Here, there is an enjambment, along with a stanza break, it is a transition and it emphasises that Heaney has not fled the confusion. Through his struggle, he has ‘grown long-haired and thoughtful.’ He has gained wisdom and realised that like the ‘wood-kerne,’ the Irish soldiers who tries to keep out the British, he is able to use his writing as a way of controlling and fighting for his voice in society. Through self analysis, and this psychological fight to distinguish himself between his public image and private life, Heaney is finally able to reach a solution and ultimately realise his worth and gain a deeper insight into his role as a poet in society.