The Tollund Man : Themes
The Tollund Man 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 The Tollund Man.
Themes
Themes
Violence and Sacrifice: In this poem, Heaney shows that violence and killing are not new. In ancient times, people killed others as sacrifices to please the gods, like the Tollund Man. In modern times, during “The Troubles” in Northern Ireland, people are still being killed for political or religious reasons. Heaney connects both—old and new—to show that human beings keep repeating the same cruelty. For him, the bog becomes a symbol of how death and sacrifice stay alive through history.