'Nettles' by Vernon Scannell

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The Very Best of Vernon Scannell, Macmillan Children's Books 6 April 2001My son aged three fell in the nettle bed.
'Bed' seemed a curious name for those green spears,
That regiment of spite behind the shed:
It was no place for rest.With sobs and tears
The boy came seeking comfort and I saw
White blisters beaded on his tender skin.
We soothed him till his pain was not so raw.
At last he offered us a watery grin,
And then I took my billhook, honed the blade
And went outside and slashed in fury with it
Till not a nettle in that fierce parade
Stood upright any more.And then I lit
A funeral pyre to burn the fallen dead,
But in two weeks the busy sun and rain
Had called up tall recruits behind the shed:
My son would often feel sharp wounds again.

Editor 1 Interpretation

#An Analysis of Vernon Scannell's Nettles

Have you ever been pricked by a nettle? Do you remember the stinging sensation that remains for a while after the prick? Vernon Scannell's poem "Nettles" captures this experience of pain and the protective love of a father for his son. Published in 1980, "Nettles" is one of Scannell's most famous poems and has been widely anthologized. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, structure, language, and symbolism of "Nettles."

##Themes

"Nettles" is a poem about the love of a father for his son and the pain of seeing him hurt. The poem begins with the father's description of the nettles in his garden and their potential to cause harm. The father then shifts his focus to his son, who has been stung by the nettles. The father's protective instinct kicks in, and he immediately sets out to rid the garden of the nettles. The poem ends with the father's realization that he cannot protect his son from all the hurts in the world but will still try his best to keep him safe.

The poem also explores the theme of nature and its role in human life. The nettles, which are a natural part of the garden, represent the pain and suffering that are an inevitable part of life. The father's attempt to remove the nettles symbolizes his desire to protect his son from the harsh realities of life. However, the poem suggests that such protection is impossible, and pain is an unavoidable part of the human experience.

Another theme that runs through the poem is the idea of masculinity and fatherhood. The father's desire to protect his son is a universal experience among fathers, and the poem captures this emotion brilliantly. The poem also explores the difficult balancing act that fathers must undertake between being protective and allowing their children to grow and take risks.

##Structure

"Nettles" is a free-verse poem of twenty-eight lines with no fixed rhyme scheme or meter. The poem is divided into four stanzas of varying lengths. The first stanza sets the scene and establishes the tone of the poem. The second stanza describes the father's reaction to his son's injury. The third stanza describes the father's actions to protect his son, and the fourth stanza reflects on the father's realization that he cannot protect his son from all the hurts in the world.

The poem's structure is simple, with each stanza following a logical progression in the narrative. The poem's lack of rhyme and meter gives it a conversational tone, and the absence of a strict structure allows the poet to focus on the emotions and imagery of the poem.

##Language

Scannell uses simple and direct language in "Nettles" to convey the father's emotions and experiences. The language is concrete and sensory, with a focus on imagery and detail. For example, the opening line of the poem, "My son aged three fell in the nettle bed," immediately establishes a sense of urgency and sets the tone for the rest of the poem.

The poem also contains numerous metaphors and similes that capture the father's emotions. The nettles are described as "green spears," "regiment of spite," and "soft hairiness." These metaphors and similes help to convey the father's anger and frustration at the nettles that have hurt his son.

##Symbolism

The nettles in "Nettles" serve as a powerful symbol of the pain and suffering that is an inevitable part of life. The poem suggests that, like the nettles, pain and suffering are a part of the natural world and cannot be avoided, no matter how much we try to protect ourselves and our loved ones.

The father's actions to protect his son also serve as a symbol of fatherhood and masculinity. The father's attempts to protect his son from harm represent his desire to be a good father and to shield his son from the harsh realities of the world. However, the poem suggests that such protection is impossible and that pain and suffering are a part of life that must be endured.

##Conclusion

"Nettles" is a powerful poem that captures the love of a father for his son and the pain of seeing him hurt. The poem explores universal themes of nature, fatherhood, and the human experience. Scannell's use of simple language, metaphors, and symbolism, combined with the poem's free-verse structure, creates a powerful and emotional narrative that resonates with readers.

In conclusion, "Nettles" is a timeless poem that continues to resonate with readers today. It is a tribute to the enduring love between fathers and sons and a reminder that pain and suffering are a part of life that must be endured.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Nettles: A Poem of Pain and Resilience

Vernon Scannell's poem "Nettles" is a powerful and poignant exploration of the pain and resilience of a father watching his son suffer. The poem is a masterful example of how poetry can capture complex emotions and experiences in a few short lines, leaving a lasting impact on the reader.

The poem begins with the speaker describing how his son has been stung by nettles, and how the father has gone out to cut them down. The nettles are described as "green spears" that "stood out like spiked / Avenues" - a vivid image that conveys the danger and threat of the nettles. The father's actions are motivated by his desire to protect his son from further harm, and the poem captures the intensity of this emotion with the line "My son would often feel sharp wounds again". The repetition of the word "sharp" emphasizes the pain and discomfort that the son is experiencing, and the father's determination to prevent it from happening again.

The second stanza of the poem shifts focus to the nettles themselves, describing them as "regimented rows / And green and copper coils". The use of military language - "regimented rows" - reinforces the idea of the nettles as a threat that must be defeated. The use of the word "coils" is also interesting, as it suggests a sense of danger and unpredictability - like a snake waiting to strike. The father's actions are described in detail, with the lines "I took my hook and honed the blade / And went outside and slashed in fury with it". The use of the word "fury" conveys the intensity of the father's emotions, and the violence of his actions. The image of the father "slashing" at the nettles with his hook is also significant, as it suggests a sense of aggression and anger - emotions that are often associated with feelings of powerlessness and frustration.

The third stanza of the poem returns to the son, describing how he has recovered from his injuries and is now "tall" and "strong". The use of these adjectives suggests a sense of pride and admiration on the part of the father, who is clearly pleased to see his son thriving. However, the final lines of the stanza - "But still he / Smarted from the nettle's sting" - remind us that the pain and trauma of the initial injury still lingers, even as the son has grown and matured.

The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as it captures the resilience and determination of both the father and the son. The father describes how the nettles have returned, "green and menacing" once again, and how he has once again gone out to cut them down. However, this time he is not alone - his son is with him, and together they "waded / Through green, translucent waves". The use of the word "waded" is significant, as it suggests a sense of struggle and effort - the father and son are not simply cutting down the nettles, they are fighting against them. The image of the nettles as "green, translucent waves" is also interesting, as it suggests a sense of fluidity and movement - the nettles are not static, but constantly shifting and changing.

The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most memorable, as they capture the resilience and determination of the father and son in the face of adversity. The father describes how the nettles "were tall and of a dazzling white", and how he and his son "stood, poised / With anger, fear, and vigilance". The use of the word "poised" is significant, as it suggests a sense of readiness and preparation - the father and son are ready to face whatever challenges come their way. The final line of the poem - "Then, as if he had been called / Suddenly to heel and whistle, / He went striding off" - is a powerful image of the son's strength and resilience. The use of the word "striding" suggests a sense of confidence and purpose, and the idea that the son has been "called" suggests a sense of destiny or fate - he is meant to be strong and resilient, and he will continue to be so in the face of whatever challenges come his way.

In conclusion, Vernon Scannell's poem "Nettles" is a powerful and poignant exploration of the pain and resilience of a father watching his son suffer. The poem captures the intensity of the father's emotions, and the violence of his actions, as he seeks to protect his son from harm. However, the poem also captures the resilience and determination of both the father and the son, as they face the challenges of life together. The final lines of the poem are a powerful image of strength and resilience, and a reminder that even in the face of adversity, we can find the strength to overcome.

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