The early purges, written by Seamus Heaney, is a poem that reflects on the innocence and ignorance of youth, and the loss of these qualities as we grow older and are confronted with the harsh realities of the world. The poem is set in a rural community in Ireland, where the speaker recalls a time when they were young and unaware of the cruel realities of life.
The speaker begins by describing how they used to play with the kittens that their neighbors would drown in a bucket. They were naive and unaware of the suffering of the animals, and simply saw it as a game. However, as they grew older and became more aware of the world around them, they began to understand the cruelty of this act and were unable to look at the kittens in the same way.
The poem then shifts to describe the speaker's experiences with death, both in the natural world and in human society. They recall how they used to watch the old dogs being put down, and how they would bury their dead pets in the yard. These experiences were a part of life in their community, and were accepted as a natural part of the cycle of life.
However, as the speaker grew older, they began to see the darker side of death, as they witnessed the violence and brutality of the Troubles in Ireland. They saw friends and neighbors being killed, and were forced to confront the harsh realities of human conflict. These experiences changed the speaker's perspective on death, and they were no longer able to view it as a natural part of life, but rather as a tragic and violent end.
The poem ends with the speaker reflecting on how their childhood innocence and ignorance have been lost, and how they are now forced to confront the harsh realities of the world. They are left with a sense of sadness and regret, as they realize that they can never regain their childhood innocence and naivety.
Overall, the early purges is a poignant and thought-provoking poem that explores the loss of innocence and the harsh realities of life. Through the use of vivid imagery and personal anecdotes, Seamus Heaney beautifully captures the transformation of youth into adulthood, and the impact that this transition has on our understanding of the world around us.