Nettles (Vernon Scannell)

Nettles by Vernon Scannell is a narrative poem that recounts a father's reaction to seeing his young son injured by nettles. The speaker describes how the nettles, symbolising the harshness and dangers of the world, cause physical harm to his son. The father takes immediate action to protect his child, cutting down the nettles and expressing his desire to shield his son from future harm. Through vivid imagery and evocative language, Scannell highlights the instinctual nature of parental love and the desire to protect loved ones from pain and suffering. You can read the poem below and find analysis further down the page.

Nettles by Vernon Scannell 

My 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.

Analysis

Themes:

Parental Love and Protection: Scannell explores the theme of parental love and protection, portraying the father's instinctual desire to shield his son from harm.

Nature and Vulnerability: The poem examines the vulnerability of human beings in the face of the natural world, represented by the nettles that cause harm to the speaker's son.

Conflict and Resolution: "Nettles" explores the conflict between the harshness of the world and the desire for safety and protection. The resolution comes through the father's actions, as he takes steps to remove the nettles and protect his son from future harm.

Generational Relationships: The poem also touches upon the dynamics of generational relationships, highlighting the role of the father as a protector and caregiver for his son.

Language and Imagery:

Scannell uses vivid language and imagery to convey the physical and emotional impact of the nettles on the speaker's son. Phrases such as "green spears grew" and "spear thistles" create a sense of danger and menace, highlighting the threat posed by the nettles.

Tone and Mood: 

The tone of the poem is protective and tender, with the speaker expressing a strong desire to shield his son from harm. The mood is one of concern and determination, as the speaker takes decisive action to remove the nettles and protect his child.

Structure and Form: 

"Nettles" is structured as a narrative poem, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. This narrative structure allows Scannell to effectively convey the sequence of events and the speaker's emotional journey as he reacts to his son's injury.

Symbolism: 

The nettles in the poem serve as a powerful symbol of the dangers and hardships of the world. They represent the harshness of life and the inevitability of pain and suffering, prompting the father to take action to protect his son from harm.

Narrative Perspective: 

The poem is narrated from the perspective of the father, offering readers insight into his thoughts and emotions as he reacts to his son's injury. This perspective allows Scannell to explore the complexities of parental love and the instinctual desire to protect loved ones from harm.

Relevance to the Anthology:

"Nettles" provides students with an opportunity to explore the theme of relationships within the context of familial love and protection. The poem invites readers to consider the instinctual nature of parental love and the lengths to which parents will go to shield their children from harm.

Conclusion:

Nettles by Vernon Scannell is a poignant exploration of parental love and protection, using vivid imagery and evocative language to convey the speaker's instinctual desire to shield his son from harm. Through the symbol of the nettles, Scannell highlights the harshness and dangers of the world, prompting the father to take decisive action to protect his child. The poem offers readers a glimpse into the complexities of familial relationships and the instinctual nature of parental love, inviting them to contemplate the lengths to which parents will go to ensure the safety and well-being of their children within the context of the Edexcel Relationships Poetry Anthology.

You can find analysis of all the Edexcel Relationships Poetry Anthology Poems here.