How Is the Poem ‘Punishment’ a Satire Against Various Injustices?
Punishment is a notable literary work by Seamus Heaney. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of Punishment.
Answer
How is the poem “Punishment” a satire against various injustices? [2018]
Seamus Heaney’s (1939-2013) poem “Punishment” (1975) is a powerful satire on human cruelty and injustice. It is based on the body of a young girl found in a bog in Ireland. Heaney imagines the girl was unfairly hanged by that ancient, unfair, misogynistic society. He also criticizes modern forms of violence and unfair punishment.
The Girl’s Unjust Suffering: In the poem, Heaney imagines how the girl was punished cruelly by her own people. He says he can feel the noose pulling tight at the back of the hanged girl’s neck.
“I can feel the tug
of the halter at the nape
of her neck.”
He imagines she was a helpless victim, punished for love. He calls her “Little adulteress” and “poor scapegoat.” It shows his sympathy for her pain. Her suffering represents how innocent women are often unfairly blamed and punished by society.
Satire on Human Hypocrisy: Heaney then turns the poem into a satire by showing his own guilt and the hypocrisy of people. He admits that if he were present there, he would have stayed quiet while others punished her. Heaney also connects this to the unfair punishment of women during the Northern Ireland conflict known as “The Troubles.” He criticizes how Irish people unfairly punished women for sleeping with British soldiers during the conflict. They poured tar on their heads, beat them, and tied them beside public railings. He criticizes that people only wear a mask of civility. But deep down, they are misogynistic, just like the ancient people.
In conclusion, “Punishment” is a strong satire against both past and present injustices. Through the image of the hanged bog girl, Heaney exposes human cruelty. The poem shows how people repeat old cruelties in the name of justice.
