Welcome to John Burnside’s "History"
In this chapter, we explore one of the most thought-provoking poems in the Poems of the Decade anthology. At first glance, "History" might seem like a poem about a simple day at the beach, but it is actually a profound reflection on how we process global tragedy. Written in the wake of the September 11 attacks (9/11), the poem asks: how do we find meaning in a world that feels so fragile?
As you study this for Component 3, Section A, remember that you will be comparing this poem to an unseen modern poem. Your goal is to understand how Burnside uses language and structure to express his ideas, so you can spot similar "moves" in other poems during the exam.
The "Big Picture": What is the poem about?
The poem is set on West Sands beach in St Andrews. The speaker is there with his young son on the day the world changed—the morning of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. While the "news" of the falling towers is in the background (referred to as the "gasoline smell" or the "muffled" radio), the poem focuses on the small, physical details of the beach: the jellyfish, the sand, and the children playing.
Key Themes:
• Transience: The idea that nothing lasts forever (like the tide or the jellyfish).
• Fragility: How easily life and structures can be destroyed.
• The Personal vs. The Global: How big historical events crash into our quiet, private lives.
Key Takeaway
The poem isn't just about the attacks; it's about humanity’s place in the world. Burnside suggests that while we try to understand "History" with a capital H, we actually live our lives through small, sensory experiences.
Analysing the Structure: Why does it look like that?
When you first look at the page, you’ll notice the poem is fragmented. The lines are uneven, and there is a lot of white space (caesura). This is a deliberate choice by Burnside to mirror the themes of the poem.
1. Fragmentation: The scattered lines look like debris falling from the sky or the "shreds" of a world being pulled apart. It reflects the confusion and uncertainty of that day.
2. Lack of Rhyme or Meter: The poem is written in free verse. This makes it feel more like a stream of consciousness—someone thinking out loud as they try to make sense of a tragedy.
3. Enjambment: Many lines run into each other without stopping. This creates a sense of fluidity, much like the ocean tide that Burnside describes.
Deep Dive into Imagery and Language
Burnside uses a technique called juxtaposition (placing two very different things side-by-side) to show the contrast between the natural world and human violence.
The Natural World (The "Local")
The speaker spends a lot of time describing jellyfish. He calls them "translucent" and "sand-spun." They represent the beauty and vulnerability of life. They are delicate and can easily be crushed, much like the buildings in the news or human lives. He also mentions "sea anemones" and "carp," grounding the poem in the physical reality of the beach.
The Man-Made World (The "Global")
The poem mentions "war planes" and the "gasoline smell" of the news. These symbols of technology and destruction contrast sharply with the "gold" of the sand and the "silver" of the fish. This suggests that while nature is eternal, human constructions (both buildings and political ideas) are dangerous and temporary.
The Role of the Child
The speaker’s son is "gathering shells and stones." This image of innocence is powerful. The child is focused on the "here and now," while the adults are distracted by the "news." Burnside seems to suggest that there is something redeeming about focusing on what we can touch and feel in the present moment.
Connections for Paper 3 (AO4)
In Section A, you must compare "History" to an unseen poem. To do this well, think about how it relates to other poems in your Poems of the Decade anthology.
• Compare with "The Gun" (Vicki Feaver): Both poems explore how violence and "the news" can intrude upon the home or personal space.
• Compare with "An Easy Passage" (Julia Copus): Both poems use a specific, fleeting moment in time to explore larger ideas about life and change.
• Compare with "Out of the Bag" (Seamus Heaney): Both poets use memories and physical objects to try and understand the mystery of existence.
Quick Review: Top Tips for Success
Don't worry if this seems tricky at first! Poetry analysis is like detective work. Just look for the clues the poet left behind.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
• Don't ignore the layout: The way the poem looks on the page is just as important as the words.
• Don't get bogged down in politics: While the poem is about 9/11, it is more about the feeling of living in a world where such things happen.
• Remember the "Unseen": In the exam, don't just write about "History." Always keep one eye on how it connects to the new poem you've been given.
Key Takeaway Box
Title: HistoryPoet: John Burnside
Form: Free verse, fragmented layout.
Setting: St Andrews beach, Scotland.
Core Message: We find our "anchors" in the physical, natural world when the "historical" world becomes too violent or overwhelming.
Important Device: Juxtaposition of the fragile (jellyfish) and the destructive (war planes).