Quarantine
By Eavan Boland
In the worst hour of the worst season
of the worst year of a whole people
a man set out from the workhouse with his wife.
He was walking—they were both walking—north.She was sick with famine fever and could not keep up.
He lifted her and put her on his back.
He walked like that west and west and north.
Until at nightfall under freezing stars they arrived.In the morning they were both found dead.
Of cold. Of hunger. Of the toxins of a whole history.
But her feet were held against his breastbone.
The last heat of his flesh was his last gift to her.Let no love poem ever come to this threshold.
There is no place here for the inexact
praise of the easy graces and sensuality of the body.
There is only time for this merciless inventory:Their death together in the winter of 1847.
Also what they suffered. How they lived.
And what there is between a man and woman.
And in which darkness it can best be proved.
Summary of “Quarantine”
- Historical Context and Significance: Eavan Boland’s “Quarantine” is a powerfully moving poem inspired by a true story from the Great Irish Famine of 1847. It transcends a simple narrative, becoming a meditation on love, suffering, and historical truth. The poem centers on a man carrying his wife, ravaged by famine fever, northward through the harsh winter landscape, ultimately succumbing to the elements together.
- Central Idea: Love Beyond Sentimentality: The poem does not present a romanticized vision of love. Instead, it portrays a raw, desperate devotion tested to its absolute limit. Boland intentionally rejects conventional love poetry, arguing that true love is revealed not in idealized beauty but in unflinching endurance through hardship. The final stanza emphatically declares that love is best proved in the face of darkness and suffering.
- The Weight of History: “Quarantine” is deeply interwoven with Irish history and collective memory. Boland emphasizes the devastating impact of the famine, framing the couple’s fate as representative of a larger tragedy. The phrase “toxins of a whole history” suggests that the suffering extends beyond physical deprivation, encompassing the weight of past injustices and systemic failures.
In-Depth Analysis of “Quarantine”
The Opening and Establishing the Scene
The poem begins with a striking accumulation of intensifiers: “In the worst hour of the worst season / of the worst year of a whole people.” This immediately establishes a sense of overwhelming despair and historical weight. Boland does not ease the reader into the scene; she plunges us directly into the heart of the tragedy. The repetition of “worst” creates a relentless, suffocating atmosphere, emphasizing the scale of suffering endured by the Irish population during the famine. It is not simply a bad time, but the absolute worst, emphasizing the poem’s intent to deal with profound loss.
The Journey and Symbolism of Movement
The image of the man and wife walking northward is central to the poem’s narrative. Their movement, however arduous, symbolizes a desperate attempt to escape the devastation around them. Notice the repetition of direction – “west and west and north.” This insistent movement suggests a futile search for hope or respite. The journey is not about reaching a destination, but about prolonging life for as long as possible. The man’s act of carrying his wife on his back is a powerful visual metaphor for his unwavering devotion and sacrifice.
“He lifted her and put her on his back.
He walked like that west and west and north.”
This excerpt illustrates the physical strain and emotional weight of his burden. It is a testament to his love that he continues to carry her, even as they both approach death.
The Discovery and the Final Embrace
The discovery of their bodies in the morning is presented with stark simplicity: “In the morning they were both found dead.” Boland does not indulge in melodramatic descriptions of their demise. Instead, she focuses on a single, profoundly moving detail: “But her feet were held against his breastbone.”
“But her feet were held against his breastbone.
The last heat of his flesh was his last gift to her.”
This image encapsulates the entirety of their love story. Even in death, the man continues to provide warmth and comfort to his wife. It is a final act of tenderness that transcends physical boundaries. The “last heat of his flesh” is not merely a physiological detail; it is a symbolic representation of his enduring love and sacrifice.
Rejection of Conventional Love Poetry
The fourth stanza is a pivotal moment in the poem. Boland explicitly rejects traditional love poetry, declaring, “Let no love poem ever come to this threshold.”
“Let no love poem ever come to this threshold.
There is no place here for the inexact
praise of the easy graces and sensuality of the body.”
She argues that conventional love poems often focus on superficial beauty and idealized romance, failing to acknowledge the harsh realities of life and the depths of human suffering. The phrase “inexact praise” suggests that such poems are dishonest and inadequate in the face of true hardship. Boland is not dismissing love itself, but rather challenging the conventional ways in which it is represented in poetry.
The “Merciless Inventory” and Historical Truth
The final stanza outlines Boland’s vision for a more honest and meaningful love poetry. She calls for a “merciless inventory” of their lives, their suffering, and the historical forces that shaped their fate.
“Their death together in the winter of 1847.
Also what they suffered. How they lived.
And what there is between a man and woman.
And in which darkness it can best be proved.”
This inventory is not simply a recounting of facts, but a deep exploration of the complexities of human experience. Boland believes that true love is best proved not in moments of joy and happiness, but in the face of adversity and suffering. The poem concludes with a powerful assertion that love is a force that can endure even in the darkest of times.
Literary and Poetic Devices
Several devices contribute to the power and resonance of “Quarantine.”
- Imagery: The poem is rich in vivid imagery, particularly those relating to the harsh winter landscape and the physical suffering of the couple.
- Repetition: The repetition of phrases like “worst” and “west” emphasizes the poem’s themes of despair and relentless movement.
- Symbolism: The winter landscape, the act of carrying, and the final embrace are all symbolic representations of the poem’s central themes.
- Diction: Boland’s choice of language is deliberate and precise, creating a tone that is both somber and dignified. The use of words like “merciless” and “toxins” contributes to the poem’s bleak atmosphere.
- Free Verse: The poem’s use of free verse allows Boland to create a natural, conversational rhythm. The lack of rhyme or meter contributes to the poem’s sense of authenticity and emotional directness.
Quotes for Discussion and Analysis
“But her feet were held against his breastbone.
The last heat of his flesh was his last gift to her.”
“Let no love poem ever come to this threshold.”
“Their death together in the winter of 1847.”
“Quarantine” is a haunting and deeply moving poem that challenges us to reconsider our understanding of love, suffering, and historical truth. It is a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit and a reminder that even in the darkest of times, love can endure.