1. Out of The Bag
Revision Session

2. Out of The Bag…
‘Out of the Bag’ by Seamus Heaney explores how the child’s perspective differs from an adults and how it is not always ‘true
Blends personal memory with his deep knowledge of the classical world of ancient Greece to interrogate myths of origin
Explores themes of: CLASS, FAITH, GENDER
The title ‘Out of the Bag’ suggests something being revealed or something being born – links to how the child thinks that the babies come out of the doctor’s bag (stork story)

3. STRUCTURE
Enjambment – “With his large pink index finger dot-faced men with button-spots in a straight line” This allows for the poem to move quickly and freely within the strong structure of several tercets.
Not be bound by line length – echoes how the poet does not allow himself to be bound by other people who tell him that he cannot be the great doctor
Chapter-like sections – reflects the chapters in books (education)
Internal rhyme – “Those nosy, rosy, big, soft hands” - emphasis on certain words that describe the qualities of the doctor.
This line carries assonance
In the third part of the poem we him not being able to cope much because he realises his failure and has not made the impact on the world as Dr Kerlin made on him – journey through the poem – really good for exams
Polysyndeton – “And usual and useful at births and deaths” – Polysyndeton is the use of several conjunctions in close succession, especially where some could otherwise be omitted and here it suggests the passage of time in which things are useful

4. LANGUAGE TECHNIQUES
Simile of a spaniel – spaniels are loyal and soft with long fur – this is how he describes Dr Kerlin, but also uses the verb “stooping” which suggests that he is aging or physically big
Intellectual language – “poeta doctus”, “asclepions”, “sanatorium”, “thurifer” – the use of Latin and Greek words here show that he is an intellectual and sees himself on the same level as Dr Kerlin, his inspiration. From ever since he was a child, he saw the doctor as this magical, powerful figure. Poeta Doctus is a poet who linked poetry and healing powers. This however shows his naivety because he then gives patients grass from Lourdes (a pilgrimage) to people suffering from cancer. He not very learned at all though, shows a lack of doctoring skills.
By using a doctor, someone who is already superior in terms of wealth, education and social status, it makes it easier to approach him as a God
Personification of ‘nosy’ hands suggests that they probe around a body which is personal, intimate connection to him
Creation of a compound word  – “sud-luscious” – creates a sensuous atmosphere, feel and see things

5. IMAGERY A lot of medical references - context
The bag – may seem scary and dangerous “the trap-sprung mouth, unsnibbed and gaping wide” it holds a significant role
Magic – “then like a hypnotist”
Greek mythology – “Hyperborean” – this was someone who lived a perfect existence beyond the north wind
Imagining where Dr Kerlin lives – it is somewhere of magic and curiosity. However there is also quite a disturbing image of baby body parts hanging from hooks “A toe, a foot and shin, an arm, a cock”, this is a frightening image which demonstrates the power he has over life and death
Hands are a reoccurring theme – “Into his soapy big hygienic hands”

6. TONE
His sounds affectionate towards the doctor as the experience that he has had has been caring and friendly.
At the beginning there is a really wondrous tone, this child cannot exactly work out how the babies are born and so he pieces together what he can in his mind and therefore he creates a magical story in his head.

7. CONCLUSION
The end of the poem links back to the beginning to give a sense of enclosure – “‘And what do you think Of the new wee baby the doctor brought for us all When I was asleep?'”
He reminisces about the wondrous feeling he felt towards the doctor and his role. ‘Her voice at the end with it’s sweet colloquial tone, contrasts with Heany’s having great knowledge and acts like a final dramatisation of the tensions (conflicts) which run throughout the poem’
He is the passive observer , he reveals that it is his mother and not a goddess which gives life by acknowledging her power creates a poignant moment

8. The Message…
The poem demonstrates both how far the poet has come from when he was just a young, impressionable child and how important that start remains in his psyche and poetic practise.
The social constraints of the time are also evident here such as the taboo about speaking about the female body, the difference of the working class to the educated class – mean she doesn’t take any credit.

9. Comparisons Eat Me – vague rhyme, regular structure
Material – strong theme of the past
A Leisure Centre… – Archaic language
Fox in the National… – Themes of past and present

10. Find this PowerPoint and more notes…