Limbo

By Seamus Heaney

Heaney has mixed feelings for the mother; therefore, he did not

condemn the mother for her crime against life, but, on the same

token, translates that the loss of the child’s life is a great tragedy.

Seamus Heaney uses a fishing theme throughout the story in order

to tie it together for the reader, but also to reference the catch in life.

In “Limbo,” both the word limbo, and fishing are main themes in

the poem. I see some great use of metaphor relating to the fishing

imagery here. The idea of small fish being thrown back in the sea,

as this small child was thrown back. The "illegitimate spawning"

suggests it was an unwanted pregnancy, out of marriage.

Seamus Heaney was one of Irelands best poet. He was born in county

Derry. His first collection was Death of a Naturalist was published

in 1966. He twice won the with bread book of the year. In 1995 he

was awarded the Noble Prize in Literature. His brother died when

he was four years of age and this affected Seamus very deeply. He

wrote a lot about nature and the land. He was married and had

three children. In 2010 Seamus was named one of Britain’s top 300

intellectuals. Seamus died this year and just before he died he sent a

message to his wife in latin Don’t be afraid.

T. M.