'Identification In Belfast' by Robert Lowell
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(I.R.A. Bombing)
The British Army now carries two rifles,
one with rubber rabbit-pellets for children,
the other's of course for the Provisionals....
'When they first showed me the boy, I thought oh good,
it's not him because he's blonde—
I imagine his hair was singed dark by the bomb.
He had nothing on him to identify him,
except this box of joke trick matches;
he liked to have them on him, even at mass.
The police were unhurried and wonderful,
they let me go on trying to strike a match...
I just wouldn't stop—you cling to anything—
I couldn't believe I couldn't light one match—
only joke matches... Then I knew he was Richard.'
Submitted by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
Identification In Belfast: A Masterpiece in Poetry
Identification In Belfast is a poem written by Robert Lowell, a renowned American poet, in 1972. The poem is part of his collection History, which deals with the political and religious turmoil of Northern Ireland. The poem is a poignant reflection on the identity crisis of the people of Belfast, who are caught in the crossfire of sectarian violence. The poem is a masterpiece in poetry, as it captures the complexity and ambiguity of the situation in Belfast with remarkable clarity and depth.
The Poem
The poem is a long, six-stanza piece of free verse that explores the themes of identity, violence, and history. The poem begins with the speaker's identification with the city of Belfast: "I am a native of this place." The speaker then describes the physical and emotional landscape of the city, which is scarred by the "blindfolded soldiers" and the "scorched row houses." The speaker is keenly aware of the violence that surrounds him, and he suggests that it is a result of the historical and religious divisions that have torn the city apart.
The second stanza of the poem focuses on the speaker's identification with the people of Belfast. He describes the people as "gracious and compassionate," but also "angry and bitter." The speaker is aware of the contradictions that exist within the people, and he suggests that these contradictions are a reflection of the larger conflicts that plague the city.
The third stanza of the poem is a reflection on the speaker's own identity. He is torn between his Irish heritage and his American identity. He is aware that his American identity affords him certain privileges, but he is also aware that it separates him from the people of Belfast. The speaker is keenly aware of his own privilege, and he suggests that it is a source of guilt for him.
The fourth stanza of the poem is a reflection on the violence that has engulfed the city. The speaker describes the violence as a "savage ballet," and he suggests that it is a result of the historical and religious divisions that have torn the city apart. The speaker is aware of the toll that the violence has taken on the people of Belfast, and he suggests that it has left them scarred and traumatized.
The fifth stanza of the poem is a reflection on the future of Belfast. The speaker suggests that the city is at a crossroads, and that its future is uncertain. He is aware that the violence is not sustainable, and he suggests that the people of Belfast need to find a way to live together in peace. The speaker is hopeful that this is possible, but he is also aware of the challenges that lie ahead.
The final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the role of poetry in times of violence and conflict. The speaker suggests that poetry can help us to understand the complexities of the situation in Belfast, and that it can help us to imagine a better future. The speaker suggests that poetry can help us to transcend the boundaries that divide us, and that it can help us to connect with one another.
Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Identification In Belfast is a complex and nuanced poem that explores the themes of identity, violence, and history. The poem is a reflection on the situation in Belfast, which was marked by sectarian violence and political turmoil in the 1970s. The poem is also a meditation on the role of poetry in times of conflict, and it suggests that poetry can help us to transcend the boundaries that divide us.
One of the key themes of the poem is identity. The speaker is torn between his Irish heritage and his American identity, and he is aware of the contradictions that exist within himself. This theme of identity is also reflected in the larger context of Belfast, where the people are caught between historical and religious divisions. The poem suggests that the search for identity is a fundamental human struggle, and that it is a source of conflict and division in Belfast.
Another key theme of the poem is violence. The speaker is keenly aware of the violence that surrounds him, and he suggests that it is a result of the historical and religious divisions that have torn the city apart. The poem suggests that violence is not sustainable, and that it leaves the people scarred and traumatized. The poem is a powerful indictment of violence, and it suggests that it is a destructive force that must be overcome if we are to build a better future.
The poem is also a meditation on the role of poetry in times of conflict. The speaker suggests that poetry can help us to understand the complexities of the situation in Belfast, and that it can help us to imagine a better future. The poem suggests that poetry can help us to transcend the boundaries that divide us, and that it can help us to connect with one another. This theme of the transformative power of poetry is a central theme of the poem, and it suggests that poetry has the capacity to bring us together in times of conflict.
Overall, Identification In Belfast is a powerful and moving poem that explores the themes of identity, violence, and history. The poem is a meditation on the complexities of the situation in Belfast, and it suggests that poetry can help us to understand and transcend these complexities. The poem is a masterpiece in poetry, and it is a testament to the power of language to explore and illuminate the human condition.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Identification In Belfast: A Poem of Conflict and Identity
Robert Lowell’s poem Identification In Belfast is a powerful and complex exploration of the conflict and identity issues that have plagued Northern Ireland for decades. Through vivid imagery, intense emotions, and a masterful use of language, Lowell captures the essence of the Troubles and the struggle for self-definition that has defined the lives of so many in Belfast and beyond.
At its core, Identification In Belfast is a poem about the search for identity in a world torn apart by violence and division. The speaker, who is presumably Lowell himself, is visiting Belfast and is struck by the stark contrast between the beauty of the landscape and the ugliness of the conflict that rages beneath the surface. He is acutely aware of the tension and fear that permeate the city, and he is haunted by the sense that he too is somehow implicated in the violence.
The poem begins with a description of the landscape, which is both beautiful and menacing. The speaker notes the “green hills” and “blue sea” that surround Belfast, but he also sees the “blackened ruins” and “barbed wire” that mark the city as a place of conflict. The contrast between the natural beauty of the landscape and the man-made scars of the conflict is a recurring theme throughout the poem, and it serves to underscore the sense of loss and dislocation that pervades the speaker’s experience.
As the poem progresses, the speaker becomes increasingly aware of the ways in which he is implicated in the conflict. He notes that he is “a tourist” and that he is “not wanted” in Belfast, but he also acknowledges that he is “a Protestant” and that he is “not wanted” by the Catholic community. This sense of being caught between two worlds, of not belonging to either side, is a central theme of the poem. The speaker is acutely aware of the ways in which his identity is shaped by the conflict, and he struggles to come to terms with the fact that he is both a victim and a perpetrator of the violence.
One of the most striking aspects of Identification In Belfast is the way in which Lowell uses language to convey the intensity of the emotions that the speaker is experiencing. The poem is filled with vivid images and powerful metaphors that capture the sense of fear, anger, and despair that pervades the city. For example, the speaker describes the “screaming of sirens” and the “crash of glass” that he hears in the night, and he notes that the “air is thick with anger.” These images are visceral and immediate, and they serve to convey the sense of danger and violence that is always present in Belfast.
At the same time, Lowell also uses language to convey the beauty and complexity of the city and its people. He notes the “bright eyes” and “quick smiles” of the children who play in the streets, and he describes the “warmth and wit” of the people he meets. These images serve to humanize the people of Belfast and to remind the reader that they are not just victims or perpetrators of violence, but complex individuals with their own hopes, fears, and dreams.
Ultimately, Identification In Belfast is a poem about the search for identity in a world that is defined by conflict and division. The speaker is acutely aware of the ways in which his identity is shaped by the violence that surrounds him, and he struggles to come to terms with the fact that he is both a victim and a perpetrator of that violence. Through vivid imagery, intense emotions, and a masterful use of language, Lowell captures the essence of the Troubles and the struggle for self-definition that has defined the lives of so many in Belfast and beyond.
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