Requiem for the Croppies
Poetry
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Seamus Heaney
Requiem for the Croppies Key Facts
Key Facts
Poet: Seamus Heaney (1939-2013)
Full Title: Requiem for the Croppies
Written: 1966
Collection: The poem is collected in Heaney's 1969 poetry collection Door into the Dark
Form: Sonnet (14 lines)
Meter: The poem uses iambic pentameter, the typical meter for a sonnet. It means the lines have five iambs or ten syllables, where an unstressed syllable is followed by a stresse...
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Requiem for the Croppies Summary
The poem “Requiem for the Croppies” is about the Irish Rebellion of 1798, when poor Irish farmers, called “croppies,” fought against the British soldiers. They were called “croppies” because they had short-cropped hair. The poem is written like a funeral song (requiem) for these brave men who died fighting for their country.
Barley in the Pockets: The poet begins by saying that the croppies kept b...
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Requiem for the Croppies Literary Device
Symbols
Barley: Barley in the poem is a symbol of hope, rebirth, and remembrance. The croppies carried barley in their pockets as food, and after their deaths, it grew from their graves. This shows that even though they died, their spirit and the dream of Irish freedom continued to live on.
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Requiem for the Croppies Theme
Themes
Sacrifice and Patriotism: This poem celebrates the bravery and sacrifice of the Irish rebels who fought against the British in 1798. The croppies were poor farmers, not trained soldiers, but they gave their lives for their country. They carried only barley and simple weapons, yet they fought with courage. Their death shows their love for Ireland. Even though they were defeated, the poet hon...
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Requiem for the Croppies Quotations
Quotes
“The pockets of our greatcoats full of barley -
No kitchens on the run…”
Exp: The croppies carried barley as food because they were poor farmers and always moving. They had no kitchens on the run. This shows the hard struggle they faced during the Irish rebellion.
“Terraced thousands died, shaking scythes at cannon.
The hillside blushed, soaked in our broken wave.”
Exp: This line des...
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