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Essay / The Honor of Courage: An Explanation of "Requiem for the Crappies" 'a random character. , deceased Irish soldier. The term “cropies” refers to rebels, due to their short hair – a style adopted by French revolutionaries of the same period. In this sonnet, Heaney uses double entenders, metaphors, and other literary devices to convey, despite futility, a sense of nationalist pride through despair. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Heaney opens the poem by suggesting that the source of the narration is that of a traveling man. Without “any kitchen on the run” (2), the man – like most of the community – is confined to barley for food: “The pockets of our greatcoats are full of barley”. (1) “No strike camp” (2) aims to describe the rebels' lack of militant training and therefore a lack of preparation. At the end of the first two lines, Heaney uses what is called an em dash. This rhetorical device, defined in this case as aposiopesis, serves to effectively express the rebels' sense of concentration and urgency in the ensuing battle, giving the impression that the speaker has no time to explain the situation further. By line 3, the reader is given the impression of an aggressive Irish uprising despite adversity. The English attack, forcing the Irish to "[move] quickly and suddenly into [their] own country." By describing the Irish as besieged, Heaney demonstrates the power of England, as the rebellion must prevent any intrusion into their homeland. Despite this, the speaker observes a classless community uniting to fight for their kingdom: “The priest lay behind the ditches with the tramp. » (4) Heaney details aspects of the war in the following lines, while again suggesting that the Irish were not as equipped for battle. This is accomplished through atypical punctuation, breaking up what could be an otherwise gentle sentence: “A people who barely – hike – walk.” To read the line correctly is to establish notable pauses; this gives the feeling of nervous and sporadic progression. The adjective “barely” has a double meaning. As a synonym for "barely", Heaney suggests a contrast with organized English troops, who advance collectively and are well prepared; however, taking the word to mean "powerfully" or "awesome" is not incorrect and insinuates a sense of willpower. Regardless, the Irish try “new tactics” (6) to compete with the English: “We would cut the reins and ride with the pike” (7). As the rebellion “drives the cattle toward the infantry” (8), the feeling is more one of despair than one of innovation. Originality aside, the Irish had to resort to such acts due to their low numbers and lack of consequent weaponry. On the other hand, the use of these methods demonstrates a determination to succeed in the defense of the nation. The Irish will experience their eventual defeat at Vinegar Hill, a “fatal conclave” (10) which will mark the end of the rebellion. Although "conclave" can simply refer to a gathering of individuals, it has its roots in religion, specifically referring to the private meetings that Catholic cardinals would hold to elect a pope. Heaney merges the two definitions in his use of the word; not only must the English soldiers and the Irish rebels gather on Vinegar Hill, but because the meeting will,. 2009.
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