'Heredity' by Tony Harrison

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Norton Anthology of English Literature, Seventh Edition ,Volume 21978How you became a poet's a mystery!
Wherever did you get your talent from?I say: I had two uncles, Joe and Harry-
one was a stammerer, the other dumb.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Heredity by Tony Harrison: An Exploration of Identity and Inheritance

Tony Harrison’s Heredity is a poignant and thought-provoking poem that delves into the complex relationship between identity and inheritance. Through the use of vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and a strong narrative voice, Harrison explores the ways in which our past shapes our present and influences our future.

Overview and Historical Context

Harrison was born in Leeds in 1937, and his working-class upbringing is a major theme throughout many of his poems. Heredity was first published in 1975 as part of his collection, “The School of Eloquence”. This was a time of great social and political upheaval in Britain, with the country still reeling from the effects of World War II and the rise of the welfare state. Harrison’s poetry reflects this turbulent period, with a focus on the struggles of the working class and the importance of social justice.

Themes and Motifs

At its core, Heredity is a poem about identity and inheritance. Harrison explores the ways in which our family history, cultural background, and societal expectations shape who we are and how we see ourselves. He also touches on the themes of class struggle, education, and the role of language in shaping our identity.

One of the most striking motifs in the poem is the use of “the tongue” as a symbol of both language and cultural identity. Harrison’s use of dialect and colloquial language throughout the poem reinforces this connection, highlighting the importance of cultural heritage and the way in which it is passed down from generation to generation.

Structure and Language

Heredity is a long poem, consisting of 68 stanzas and over 500 lines. The poem is divided into three sections, each of which explores a different aspect of the theme of inheritance. The first section focuses on Harrison’s own family history and upbringing, while the second explores the wider cultural and societal influences that shape our identity. The final section is a reflection on the role of language and education in shaping our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

Harrison’s use of language is powerful and evocative, with a strong sense of rhythm and rhyme throughout the poem. His use of colloquial language and dialect is particularly effective, creating a sense of authenticity and honesty that is at the heart of the poem’s message.

Analysis and Interpretation

The opening lines of Heredity set the tone for the rest of the poem, with Harrison reflecting on his own family history and the struggles of his working-class upbringing:

“My father still reads the dictionary every day. He says your life depends on your power to master words.”

These lines establish the importance of language and education in shaping our understanding of the world around us. Harrison’s use of the word “master” suggests that language is not just a tool for communication, but a means of understanding and controlling our environment.

As the poem progresses, Harrison moves beyond his own personal history to explore wider cultural and societal influences on identity. He reflects on the way in which our cultural heritage is passed down from generation to generation, and the impact of societal expectations on our sense of self:

“Some have it in them to be singled out for praise And others for scorn, ripped out and cast away, And yet in everyone, however crushed and thwarted, There flickers still the secret wish to be thought of.”

These lines highlight the way in which our sense of identity is shaped by both internal and external factors. We may be born into a certain cultural or social background, but we also have the power to shape our own identity and sense of self.

One of the most powerful sections of the poem is Harrison’s reflection on the role of language and education in shaping our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. He suggests that language is not just a means of communication, but a means of understanding and controlling our environment:

“…it’s words that have kept me alive, kept me in work And all of us, alive or dead, know that It’s words that save us…”

These lines reinforce the importance of language and education in shaping our sense of identity and understanding of the world. They also suggest that language has the power to save us from the struggles and challenges of our lives, providing a means of escape and empowerment.

Overall, Heredity is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the complex relationship between identity and inheritance. Through the use of vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and a strong narrative voice, Harrison highlights the importance of cultural heritage, education, and language in shaping our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. It is a poem that resonates with readers of all backgrounds and ages, and continues to be a powerful commentary on the struggles and challenges of the human condition.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Heredity: A Masterpiece of Poetry

Tony Harrison's "Poetry Heredity" is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the themes of identity, heritage, and language. The poem is a reflection on the poet's own life and his relationship with his father, who was a coal miner. The poem is written in a free verse style, with no set rhyme or meter, which allows the poet to express his emotions and ideas in a natural and organic way.

The poem begins with the poet describing his father's hands, which are rough and calloused from years of working in the mines. The poet then reflects on his own hands, which are soft and unblemished, and wonders if he has inherited anything from his father. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the poet's identity and his relationship with his father.

One of the key themes of the poem is heritage. The poet reflects on his father's life as a coal miner, and how this has shaped his own identity. He describes how his father would come home from work covered in coal dust, and how this would make him feel proud of his father's hard work. The poet also reflects on his own heritage as a working-class poet, and how this has influenced his writing.

Another important theme of the poem is language. The poet reflects on the different languages that he and his father speak, and how this has affected their relationship. The poet speaks in a more formal, academic language, while his father speaks in a more colloquial, working-class language. The poet feels that this language barrier has prevented him from fully understanding his father, and has created a distance between them.

The poem also explores the theme of identity. The poet reflects on his own identity as a poet, and how this has been shaped by his heritage and his relationship with his father. He describes how he feels like an outsider in the world of poetry, and how he sometimes feels like he doesn't belong. However, he also feels a sense of pride in his working-class roots, and in the fact that he has been able to overcome the obstacles that have been placed in his path.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of imagery. The poet uses vivid and powerful images to convey his emotions and ideas. For example, he describes his father's hands as "gnarled and knotted like the roots of trees," which creates a powerful visual image of his father's hard work and determination. He also describes his own hands as "soft as a baby's," which creates a contrast between his own life and his father's.

The poem also uses repetition to create a sense of rhythm and momentum. The phrase "I wonder" is repeated throughout the poem, which creates a sense of introspection and reflection. The repetition of the phrase "my father's son" also creates a sense of connection between the poet and his father, and emphasizes the theme of heritage.

In conclusion, Tony Harrison's "Poetry Heredity" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the themes of identity, heritage, and language. The poem is a reflection on the poet's own life and his relationship with his father, and uses vivid imagery and repetition to convey his emotions and ideas. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to explore the deepest aspects of the human experience, and is a masterpiece of modern poetry.

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