'Nettles' by Vernon Scannell uses images from war and conflict to depict a patch of stinging nettles and how they hurt his son.  Scannell is a one-time soldier whose work often includes representations and descriptions normally associated with war, using his experiences to help inform his writing. He was born in Lincolnshire and died in Yorkshire aged 85 in 2007.

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This poem is part of the Relationships Poetry Anthology for the Edexcel English language Literature GCSE.

'Nettles' Context

Unlike many other poems, 'Nettles' does non take a hidden meaning in its championship. Instead, information technology is simply a statement of the principal subject matter of the poem. That said, there are still a variety of questions that a reader may have, such every bit what the nettles are and why they are significant.

Scannell'due south experiences in World War 2 resulted in him using lots of war and conflict-related imagery in his writing, informing the various descriptions used in 'Nettles' such as "regiment of spite" and "tall recruits". He actually deserted when he was in Northward Africa during the War, and again while recovering in military hospital, and as a result, he was tried in a military machine courtroom and discharged from the Regular army. One of the key reasons he abandoned the Regular army was considering of the horrors he saw during battle, perhaps giving insight into this poem and the attempt to prevent future harm and injury to others.

Nettles - Poem Analysis

Glossary of Terms from the Poem
  • Regiment: A group/unit of soldiers in the army.
  • Spite: Detest, malicious feelings.
  • Billhook: A type of gardening tool with a sharp edge used for cut plants.
  • Honed: To make something sharper.
  • Funeral pyre: Bonfire on which a body is cremated.

'Nettles' Analysis

"those green spears"

"spears" is the commencement reference in the poem to conflict and war, but past existence described every bit "light-green" information technology is probable that the reader would empathize that this adjective is being used to describe the stinging nettles. Many readers are likely to relate to the connotations of pain and injury from "spears" to the pain of stinging nettles.

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"Information technology was no place for rest."

This sentence is i of the shortest in the poem, helping to break the overall menses and rhythm and place emphasis on the line. The definitive "It was no" removes whatsoever question over its suitability, but "was" indicates that there is still potential for change.

"White blisters beaded"

The consonance of "blisters beaded" is constructive at drawing attention to this line, arguably one of the most striking of the poem due to the effective imagery. The fact that this injury happened to a "boy" would brand this clarification even more memorable and highlights the vulnerability of children.

"slashed in fury"

The sibilance in "slashed" helps to show the danger and ability of this motion, especially with the term "honed the bract" being used. The use of "fury" emphasises the intrinsic bond between parent and kid and the desire for protection and rubber. The connotations of the two words may encourage some readers to think of a monstrous or demonic paradigm.

"My son would often experience sharp wounds over again."

The verse form ends on a downward annotation, with the narrator acknowledging that their son would inevitably feel hurting over again in a like situation. This line would exist particularly effective for those with children who would likely recognise that information technology is impossible to protect children from every possible crusade of impairment.

Themes in 'Nettles'

  • Relationships: 'Nettles' is part of the relationships album. The poem considers the relationship between parent and child, and how a parent strives to ensure the rubber of their child.
  • Childhood: The poem acknowledges that children volition inevitably feel types of pain and come beyond certain hardships when growing up.
  • Protection:  Readers would recognise that despite the all-time efforts of parents and carers to offer protection for children and those close to them, that tin can't ever be achieved.

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  • Posted in Relationships (Edexcel GCSE)
  • Tagged with Childhood, Edexcel, English, English Literature, GCSE, Nettles Poem, Protection, Relationships, Vernon Scannell