Introduction to 'History' by John Burnside

Welcome to your study of 'History' by John Burnside. This poem is a powerful and moving piece from the Poems of the Decade anthology. It was written in response to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, but instead of focusing on the violence in New York, Burnside reflects on a quiet morning on a beach in Scotland. This poem explores how we find meaning and beauty in the world when everything feels fragile and uncertain. Don't worry if the poem looks a bit "messy" on the page at first—its unique shape is actually a big clue to its meaning!

The "Big Picture" Summary

In 'History', the speaker is at West Sands in St Andrews, Scotland, with his young son. While the world is reeling from the news of the Twin Towers falling, the speaker watches his son play in the sand. He observes the natural world—the tide, the birds, and the jellyfish—and wonders how we can "redeem" or save the world through paying attention to these small, beautiful details. It is a poem about the contrast between global tragedy and local, personal moments of peace.

Analyzing Form and Structure (AO2)

The structure of 'History' is one of its most important features. When you look at the poem, you'll notice the lines are scattered across the page. Here is why that matters:

  • Fragmented Layout: The irregular line lengths and wide spaces between words (caesura) reflect a world that has been "shattered." Just as the towers fell and debris scattered, the poem’s physical form looks broken and uncertain.
  • Enjambment: Many lines run into each other without punctuation. This creates a sense of "stream of consciousness," as if we are following the speaker’s wandering thoughts as he tries to make sense of the news.
  • Lack of a Fixed Rhyme Scheme: The absence of a regular rhyme or rhythm suggests that the old "order" of the world has disappeared. It feels spontaneous and real, rather than planned and rigid.

Key Takeaway: The "broken" look of the poem on the page mimics the feeling of a world falling apart and the fragmented nature of human memory.

Language and Imagery (AO2)

Burnside uses specific language to create a contrast between the natural world and the man-made world. Let's look at some key examples:

1. Sensory Details of the Beach

The speaker focuses on "sand and stones," "jellyfish," and "sea anemones." These details are tangible and real. By focusing on these small things, the speaker is trying to ground himself in reality while the "virtual" news of the attacks feels overwhelming.

2. The Imagery of Light and Grayness

The poem mentions "the muffled dread" and the "silver-gray" of the sea. This creates a mood of solemnity and quietness. The light is "shifting," which symbolizes how our perspective on history and safety can change in an instant.

3. Technological vs. Natural

The speaker mentions "warplanes" and "gasoline," which represent human violence and environmental damage. This is juxtaposed (placed side-by-side) with the "petrol-blue" of a bird’s feathers. This clever use of language shows how even the words we use for beauty are sometimes tied to things that destroy the planet.

Key Themes

To do well in your exam, you should be able to discuss these central ideas:

  • Fragility and Transience: Everything in the poem feels like it could disappear—the tide washes things away, the "knitted" world can be unpicked, and life is described as "mortal."
  • Innocence vs. Experience: The speaker’s son is "gathering shells," completely unaware of the tragedy. This highlights the gap between a child's simple world and the complex, violent world of "History."
  • The Role of the Observer: The poem suggests that our job is to "be present" and notice the world around us. This act of noticing might be the only way to find peace in a chaotic time.

Comparison Tips (AO4)

In Unit 1 Section A, you must compare 'History' with another poem from the Poems of the Decade anthology. Here are some smart pairings:

  • Comparison with 'The Gun' (Vicki Feaver): Both poems explore themes of violence and how it affects our daily lives, though 'History' is more philosophical while 'The Gun' is more visceral.
  • Comparison with 'Ode on a Grayson Perry Urn' (Tim Turnbull): Both poems consider how "history" is recorded and what remains after time passes.
  • Comparison with 'Material' (Ros Barber): Both poems look at the transition between generations and how the world changes for our children.

Quick Review: Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Focusing only on 9/11. While the event triggered the poem, the poem is actually about the beach and the nature of existence. Make sure you talk about the shells and the son, not just the planes.

Mistake 2: Ignoring the gaps on the page. The "white space" in this poem is just as important as the words. It represents silence, confusion, and the things we cannot put into words.

Mistake 3: Forgetting the title. The title is 'History', but the poem is set in the present. This suggests that history isn't just something in books; it is happening right now, in every small moment.

Key Points Checklist:
- Structure: Fragmented, scattered, mimics falling debris.
- Tone: Somber, reflective, slightly anxious but appreciative of nature.
- Imagery: Sea life (jellyfish, anemones), light (silver, gray), and the son playing.
- Purpose: Exploring how to live in a world that feels unstable and "mortal."

Don't worry if this poem feels "wordy" or difficult at first! Just remember that Burnside is simply asking: "How do we keep loving the world when bad things happen?" Once you see it that way, the imagery of the beach starts to make perfect sense.