The Skunk
Poetry
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Seamus Heaney
The Skunk Key Facts
Key Facts
Poet: Seamus Heaney (1939-2013)
Full Title: The Skunk
First Published: 1979 in Heaney’s poetry collection Field Work
Form: The poem has 6 quatrains (4-line stanzas)
Total Lines: 24
Rhyme Scheme and Meter: The poem is written in Free verse, meaning no strict meter or rhyme scheme.
Tone: Romantic, nostalgic, and tender
Setting: California (where Heaney was staying, away fr...
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The Skunk Summary
The poem “The Skunk” is about Heaney’s deep love and longing for his wife when he was away from her. It mixes memories, emotions, and images of nature to show how much he misses her presence.
The Poet Remembers His Wife: Seamus Heaney was living alone in California for some time, far from his wife, who was in Ireland. Every night, he felt lonely and remembered her. He saw a skunk (a small black-an...
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The Skunk Theme
Themes
Love and Longing : This poem shows how deeply the poet loves his wife and how much he misses her when they are far apart. While staying alone in California, he feels lonely at night and remembers her every moment. The skunk he sees outside reminds him of her beauty, mystery, and presence. The memory of his wife’s small movements, like searching for her nightdress, makes him feel close to he...
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The Skunk Literary Device
Symbols
The Skunk: The skunk in the poem stands for the poet’s wife and his deep love for her. Though the animal is ordinary, it becomes special in his eyes. It reminds him of his wife’s beauty and closeness.
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The Skunk Quotations
Quotes
“Night after night
I expected her (the skunk) like a visitor.”
Exp: The poet waits for the skunk every night as if she is a special guest. It shows his loneliness and how the skunk’s presence reminds him of his wife.
“After eleven years i was composing
Love-letters again…”
Exp: The poet feels love again for his wife, even after many years of marriage. His memories and the skunk’s presen...
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