After the fair, I’d still have a light heart
and a heavy purse, he struck so cheap.
And cattle doted on him: in his time
mine only dropped heifers, fat as cream.
Yields doubled. I grew fond of company
that knew when to shut up. Then one night,disturbed from dreams of my dear late wife,
I hunted down her torn voice to his pale form.
Stock still in the light from the dark lantern,
stark naked but for one bloody boot of fox trap,
I knew him a warlock, a cow with leather horns.
To go into the hare gets you much sorrow,the wisdom runs, much care. I leveled
and blew the small hour through his heart.
The moon came out, by its yellow witness
I saw him fur over like a stone mossing.
His lovely head thinned. His top lip gathered.
His eyes rose like Lammas Hireling. I carried himin a sack that grew lighter at every step
and dropped him from a bridge. There was no
splash. Now my herd’s elf shot. I do not dream
but spend my nights casting a ball from half crowns
and my days here. Bless me Father for I have sinned.
It has been an hour since my last confession.
Unveiling “Lammas Hireling”: A Deep Dive into Ian Duhig’s Haunting Poem
Welcome, fellow explorers of language and literature, to an insightful journey into Ian Duhig’s captivating poem, “Lammas Hireling.” This piece is a masterclass in atmosphere, narrative, and the unsettling power of belief. Prepare to uncover the layers of meaning, the intricate literary devices, and the enduring questions this remarkable poem presents.
Lammas Hireling Summary: The Narrative Unpacked
“Lammas Hireling” is a haunting narrative poem by Ian Duhig, first published in 2003, that plunges readers into a world steeped in folk traditions and ancient superstitions. The poem unfolds from the perspective of a farmer who recounts hiring a young man, a ‘hireling,’ whose presence inexplicably brings immense prosperity to his farm. The cattle thrive, and yields double, leading the farmer to appreciate the hireling’s quiet company.
However, this period of good fortune takes a dark turn. Disturbed by unsettling dreams and fueled by deeply ingrained beliefs about witchcraft and the supernatural, the farmer begins to suspect the hireling is not what he seems. This suspicion culminates in a violent confrontation where the farmer kills the hireling, believing him to be a warlock or a shapeshifter. The aftermath is equally disturbing, as the hireling’s body undergoes a strange transformation. The poem concludes with the farmer living with the profound psychological consequences of his actions, haunted by guilt and seeking solace in a cycle of confession.
Central Idea and Noteworthy Knowledge of “Lammas Hireling”
The central idea of “Lammas Hireling” powerfully explores the destructive force of unchecked superstition and the profound psychological toll it exacts upon an individual. The farmer’s actions are not guided by reason or evidence, but by deeply rooted ancient beliefs, fear, and the unsettling influence of his dreams. The poem does not validate the farmer’s supernatural fears; instead, it meticulously examines the devastating consequences of acting upon such prejudices.
Understanding certain terms enriches the reading experience. “Lammas” refers to an ancient harvest festival, traditionally celebrated in early August, marking the first harvest of the year. This context is highly significant, as the poem is deeply embedded in the imagery of the land, its bounty, and the anxieties surrounding agricultural prosperity. The term “elf shot” refers to a traditional folk belief that elves or other supernatural beings could shoot invisible arrows at people or livestock, causing sudden illness, injury, or even death. This belief highlights the pre-modern, rural world where such explanations for misfortune were commonplace, further emphasizing the farmer’s mindset.
In-Depth Analysis of “Lammas Hireling”
Ian Duhig masterfully crafts “Lammas Hireling” using a rich tapestry of literary and poetic devices, each contributing to the poem’s unsettling atmosphere and profound themes.
Sound Devices in “Lammas Hireling”
Duhig employs various sound devices to create a specific auditory experience and enhance the poem’s emotional impact:
- Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds within words or at the beginning of words creates a musicality and subtle connection between ideas. Observe the long ‘e’ sound in:
disturbed from dreams of my dear late wife,
This repetition draws attention to the farmer’s troubled sleep and the memory of his deceased wife, linking his past grief to his present disturbance.
- Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words draws attention to specific phrases and adds emphasis. Consider:
stark naked but for one bloody boot of fox trap,
The harsh ‘b’ sound here underscores the brutal reality of the scene and the farmer’s shocking discovery. Another instance is “Stock still,” which emphasizes the eerie stillness of the hireling.
- Consonance: The repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words creates a subtle rhythmic effect and reinforces connections between words. Notice the ‘st’ and ‘ll’ sounds in:
Stock still in the light from the dark lantern,
This repetition contributes to the tense, hushed atmosphere of the farmer’s nocturnal encounter.
Imagery and Symbolism in “Lammas Hireling”
The poem is rich in evocative imagery and symbolic meaning, painting vivid pictures and conveying deeper ideas:
- The Farm and Livestock: The farm serves as a primary setting, representing the natural world, the farmer’s livelihood, and his connection to the land. The initial prosperity, with “cattle doted on him” and “Yields doubled,” symbolizes not only material abundance but also the farmer’s desire for control and order in his life. The later “herd’s elf shot” signifies the loss of this order and the supernatural retribution he believes he faces.
- The Hireling: The hireling is a complex and ambiguous symbol. Initially, he appears as a beneficial, almost magical force, bringing prosperity. However, the farmer’s fear and superstition transform him into a menacing, supernatural figure, a “warlock, a cow with leather horns.” He embodies the unknown, the ‘other,’ and the anxieties that arise when the natural order seems to be disrupted by mysterious forces. His transformation after death further solidifies his symbolic role as a being beyond human comprehension.
- The Hare and Animal Transformation: The line “To go into the hare gets you much sorrow, the wisdom runs, much care” introduces the folklore surrounding shapeshifting. The hare, a creature often associated with witchcraft and the wild, symbolizes the mysterious and untamed aspects of nature. While the hireling does not explicitly transform into a hare in the poem, this reference highlights the farmer’s belief in such transformations. The actual transformation described after the killing is ambiguous yet powerful:
I saw him fur over like a stone mossing.
His lovely head thinned. His top lip gathered.
His eyes rose like Lammas Hireling.This imagery suggests a return to a primal, perhaps animalistic or elemental state, reinforcing the idea that the hireling was never fully human in the farmer’s eyes, or that the act of violence has revealed his true, supernatural form. The final phrase, “His eyes rose like Lammas Hireling,” is particularly enigmatic, suggesting a cyclical, perhaps even eternal, nature to this mysterious being.
Figurative Language in “Lammas Hireling”
Duhig employs various types of figurative language to enrich the poem’s meaning and create vivid, memorable imagery:
- Simile: Similes create comparisons using “like” or “as,” making descriptions more vivid.
mine only dropped heifers, fat as cream.
This simile effectively conveys the healthy, abundant state of the livestock. A more unsettling simile appears later:
His eyes rose like Lammas Hireling.
This comparison is deeply unsettling, as it suggests the hireling’s eyes take on the very essence of his supernatural identity, perhaps implying a vacant, ancient, or non-human gaze.
- Metaphor: Metaphors make direct comparisons, stating that one thing *is* another, to create powerful imagery.
I knew him a warlock, a cow with leather horns.
This striking metaphor portrays the hireling as a monstrous, unnatural figure, combining the familiar farm animal with something grotesque and demonic, reflecting the farmer’s distorted perception.
- Personification: Personification gives human qualities or actions to inanimate objects or abstract concepts.
the wisdom runs, much care.
This personification gives the abstract concept of “wisdom” a sense of active movement and tradition, suggesting that this knowledge is ancient and passed down through generations, influencing the farmer’s actions.
Structure and Form of “Lammas Hireling”
“Lammas Hireling” is a free verse poem, meaning it does not adhere to a strict, predetermined rhyme scheme or metrical pattern. This choice allows Duhig to create a natural, conversational, and confessional tone, mirroring the farmer’s internal monologue. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each contributing to the progression of the narrative and the unfolding psychological drama. The strategic use of enjambment, where a sentence or phrase continues from one line to the next without a grammatical pause, creates a sense of momentum, urgency, and an unbroken flow of thought, reflecting the farmer’s relentless internal struggle and the unfolding events:
in a sack that grew lighter at every step
and dropped him from a bridge. There was no
splash. Now my herd’s elf shot. I do not dream
but spend my nights casting a ball from half crowns
and my days here. Bless me Father for I have sinned.
It has been an hour since my last confession.
Observe how the narrative flows seamlessly across these lines, mirroring the unstoppable march of the farmer’s actions and the growing weight of his guilt and psychological torment.
Diction and Tone in “Lammas Hireling”
The poem’s diction, or word choice, is deliberately archaic and rural, evoking a sense of a bygone era where folk beliefs held sway. Words like “hireling,” “doted,” “warlock,” and “elf shot” contribute significantly to the poem’s overall atmosphere, grounding it in a specific cultural and historical context. This language choice immerses the reader in the farmer’s world, where ancient superstitions are a tangible part of daily life.
The tone of the poem evolves throughout the narrative. It begins with a seemingly matter-of-fact, almost boastful account of prosperity. However, it gradually shifts to become unsettling, fearful, and ultimately confessional. The final lines, with the farmer’s desperate plea for forgiveness, “Bless me Father for I have sinned. It has been an hour since my last confession,” reveal the profound depth of his remorse and the lasting psychological impact of his actions, concluding on a note of perpetual guilt and spiritual unease.
Key Lines for Discussion in “Lammas Hireling”
Certain lines in “Lammas Hireling” are particularly powerful and invite deeper interpretation, serving as focal points for understanding the poem’s core themes:
I do not dream
but spend my nights casting a ball from half crowns
and my days here. Bless me Father for I have sinned.
It has been an hour since my last confession.
These concluding lines encapsulate the poem’s central themes of guilt, superstition, and the inadequacy of religious confession to truly absolve a tormented soul. The farmer’s inability to dream suggests a deep psychological repression or a mind consumed by waking torment, leaving no room for the subconscious. His repetitive, almost ritualistic act of “casting a ball from half crowns” indicates a futile attempt to find solace or perhaps to ward off evil, a continuation of his superstitious nature. His constant need for confession, “It has been an hour since my last confession,” reveals his inability to find true peace or lasting absolution, trapping him in an endless cycle of remorse and spiritual anguish.
The Enduring Legacy of “Lammas Hireling”
“Lammas Hireling” stands as a complex and profoundly haunting poem that continues to resonate with readers. Its masterful exploration of universal themes such as fear, guilt, superstition, and the human encounter with the unknown, combined with its evocative imagery and precise use of language, solidifies its place as a truly remarkable work of art. By delving into its layers, readers gain a deeper appreciation for the power of poetry to explore the darkest corners of the human psyche and the enduring influence of ancient beliefs.