The Unifying Spirit of Seamus Heaney’s ‘funeral Rites’

Seamus Heaney’s poem “Funeral Rites” intricately explores the theme of unity through the lens of rituals and the traditional customs surrounding death in Ireland. In a nation historically marred by sectarian violence, Heaney calls for a return to the ancient beliefs that once unified the Irish people, transcending the divisions imposed by modern religious conflicts. This essay delves into the unifying spirit embodied in “Funeral Rites,” highlighting how Heaney seeks to reconcile the past with the present and inspire a collective healing.

The Weight of Tradition

The poem opens with a somber atmosphere, where the act of ‘shouldering’ the coffin symbolizes the heavy burden of patriarchal duty. The stark imagery of the ‘dulse-brown’ shroud reflects Heaney’s discontent with the sterile nature of traditional funerals, which he perceives as cold and lifeless. The use of monosyllabic language, such as the word ‘dead’, emphasizes the finality of death and the emotional weight of the occasion. This initial portrayal sets the tone for a critique of a ritual that has become stagnant and devoid of meaning.

Heaney’s description of the women as ‘hovering’ reinforces the sense of fragility and passivity within the ritual. The repetition of ‘hovering’ conjures images of flickering candles, suggesting a lack of solid ground beneath them, much like the community itself, which is caught in a cycle of violence and mourning. The funeral, rather than being a moment of closure, is depicted as a ‘black glacier’—cold, unyielding, and slow-moving. This imagery starkly contrasts with the dynamic and ancient symbolism of the ‘serpent’ that appears later in the poem, representing a yearning for a more vibrant and spirited approach to death and mourning.

A Shift Towards Hope

In the second part of the poem, Heaney introduces a temporal shift with the word ‘now’, moving away from the past tense that dominated the first section. This shift signifies a collective longing for the predictable ‘customary rhythms’ of funerals, which have become a source of comfort amidst the chaos of violence. The verb ‘pine’ suggests a deep yearning for closure and healing, as the people of Ireland find themselves yearning for the solace that these rituals once provided.

Heaney contrasts the ‘temperate footsteps’ of the funeral procession with the harshness of the violent reality faced by the Irish people. The imagery of the ‘cortège’ evokes a sense of warmth and familiarity, suggesting that these rituals can serve as a refuge against the unpredictable ‘news’ of violence that permeates their lives. The transition from the cold, unyielding ‘glacier’ to the more personal and comforting ‘cortège’ symbolizes a shift towards a more communal and harmonious understanding of death.

Rituals of Unity

Despite the longing for traditional rituals, Heaney seeks an alternative to the ‘shackling’ nature of religious ceremonies. The introduction of the ‘serpent’ procession, rich in Celtic symbolism, represents a move away from the confines of modern religious practices towards a more primal, pre-Christian spirituality. This shift is marked by a transition from the personal pronoun ‘I’ in part one to ‘we’ and ‘our’ in part two, emphasizing a collective identity rooted in shared beliefs.

Heaney’s use of sensory imagery in this section, such as the ‘grassy boulevard’ and the ‘purring’ sounds of the procession, evokes a sense of naturalness and freedom that contrasts sharply with the sterile ‘rooms’ of part one. By referencing geographical landmarks like the ‘great chambers of Boyne’, Heaney grounds his vision of a unified Ireland in tangible, recognizable symbols that resonate with the collective memory of the people.

Transcendence Through Ritual

The poem culminates in the third part with the act of ‘put[ting] the stone back’, which signifies kinship and cooperation. This imagery draws parallels to the Christian story of resurrection, suggesting that through unified rituals, the people can find a path towards healing and redemption. The act of sealing away the memory of violence, described as a ‘cud’, evokes a visceral response, highlighting the difficulty of digesting the trauma of the past.

Heaney introduces the figure of ‘Gunnar’, whose name signifies a warrior, embodying the cycle of violence that plagues Ireland. However, Gunnar’s ‘unavenged’ death serves as a turning point, breaking the cycle of retribution and inviting a transformative experience. As he begins to ‘chant’, this act symbolizes a rebirth, reminiscent of the renewal that Heaney envisions for his homeland. The imagery of ‘four lights burning in the corners’ illuminates the darkness of despair, suggesting that hope and joy can emerge from the shadows of violence.

Conclusion

In “Funeral Rites,” Seamus Heaney masterfully weaves together themes of unity, ritual, and transformation. Through his exploration of the tensions between traditional customs and the need for a more profound connection to the past, Heaney advocates for a collective healing that transcends the divisions of sectarian violence. The poem serves as a powerful reminder that through shared rituals and a return to ancient beliefs, the Irish people can forge a path towards peace and reconciliation, ultimately allowing them to embrace a brighter, more unified future.

References

Heaney, Seamus. “Funeral Rites.” In The Complete Poems, edited by the author. London: Faber & Faber, 1994.

McDonald, Peter. “Seamus Heaney and the Tradition of Irish Poetry.” Irish Studies Review 12, no. 1 (2004): 45-62.

O'Brien, Eileen. “Ritual and Memory in Seamus Heaney's Poetry.” Modern Irish Literature 18, no. 2 (2008): 112-130.