The+Seed-Merchant’s+Son

=‘The Seed-Merchant’s Son’= =Agnes Grozier Herbertson=

The poet chose to make the subject of her poem the son of someone who grows and sells seeds. Herbertson probably chose this occupation because seeds signify new life and the possibility of growth and renewal. The poem gives many facts about the young soldier who died, this emphasizes the youthfulness of the boy – his “bright, bright eyes” and “cheeks all red”; he is “fair and healthy and long of limb”. The seed merchant is described as being old to have such a young son.

The poet sympathises with the man and the fact that his family line will now and with him and unlike the seeds will not be renewed. The speaker questions what we can say to a man in his situation. The answer to her question comes from her observations of the seed-merchant himself as she observes him looking at the seeds in his hand and the realization that life will go on. The seed-merchant manages to keep his faith in God as he thanks God – he thought that life was over but realizes it is not when he looks at the seed.

THINKING POINTS

 * 1) How does the structure of the poem reflect the themes of youth and age?
 * 2) Why do you think the poet chose a two-line stanza in rhyming couplets?

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