‘Eden Rock’ Charles Causley

Charles Causley Born in Cornwall in 1917, died in 2003. He came from a working class family. His father fought in World War I and returned in poor health, dying when Causley was only 7. This made him realise that war could have a terrible impact on people’s lives. His mother worked hard to support them, although she did enjoy reading, something that Causley also enjoyed. He won a scholarship to Launceston College, but because the family had little money, he left school at 15 to work as an office clerk. In the 1930s he wrote and published a play called ‘Runaway.’ In 1940 he joined the Royal Navy, where he saw people killed. This made him feel lucky to be alive when the war ended. After the war he trained to be a teacher He continued to write poetry until his death. Eden Rock is from the collection Secret Destinations which was published in 1984

Hints that this is imagined. Gives us a hint of mystery STRUCTURE: present tense makes the scene he’s describing feel more vivid – as if it is frozen in his memory Hints that this is imagined. Gives us a hint of mystery They are waiting for me somewhere beyond Eden Rock: My father, twenty-five, in the same suit Of Genuine Irish Tweed, his terrier Jack Still two years old and trembling at his feet. The narrator remembers details about his parents – details are from the past Biblical reference to the Garden of Eden – a perfect place which suggests that, for the narrator, this place with his parents is perfect and peaceful

STRUCTURE: The introductions to the two parents mirror each other and reflects the closeness of their relationship The beautiful details show how precious the memory of his mother is My mother, twenty-three, in a sprigged dress Drawn at the waist, ribbon in her straw hat, Has spread the stiff white cloth over the grass. Her hair, the colour of wheat, takes on the light. Pure heavenly colour The light in his mother’s hair is an angelic image

These are ordinary things, but he remembers the details – show they are important, an affectionate memory The way the parents do things are tranquil and peaceful She pours tea from a Thermos, the milk straight From an old H.P. sauce-bottle, a screw Of paper for a cork; slowly sets out The same three plates, the tin cups painted blue. Like we are watching it in slow motion Alliteration

STRUCTURE: contrasts with the ordinary descriptions of the first 3 stanzas – it is like a heavenly light The 3 suns could show that the family of 3 have been reunited It could also relate to the Christian Trinity Even the stream is peaceful. The stream is symbolic The sky whitens as if lit by three suns. My mother shades her eyes and looks my way Over the drifted stream. My father spins A stone along the water. Leisurely, STRUCTURE: Enjambment creates a pause which imitates the leisurely way the narrator’s parents beckon to him Adverb – suggests there is no rush STRUCTURE: Caesura slows down the pace – emphasises the feeling of peace

I had not thought that it would be like this. Possibly a metaphor for crossing into death The narrator’s parents comfort and encourage him – a typical parents’ role Is he being called from the ‘other side’ as in beyond the grave They beckon to me from the other bank. I hear them call, “See where the stream-path is! Crossing is not as hard as you might think.” I had not thought that it would be like this. In Greek mythology people who died had to cross the river Styx Monosyllabic language creates a tone of child-like simplicity. We don’t know what the ‘it’ actually is. He may be referring to death, or may be talking the afterlife?

Rhyme creates a sense of harmony Structure and form Regular Structure First 4 stanzas have 4 lines, but the pattern is broken at the end with a solitary line after 3 lines – is this to show the journey into death? Rhyme creates a sense of harmony

Present tense Caesura Enjambment Nostalgia Peace Monosyllabic Childhood memory Light Heaven Simple Bond Idyllic Alliteration Present tense Caesura Enjambment Nostalgia Peace Monosyllabic Childhood memory Light Heaven Simple Bond Idyllic Alliteration Present tense Caesura Enjambment Nostalgia Peace Monosyllabic Childhood memory Light Heaven Simple Bond Idyllic Alliteration Present tense Caesura Enjambment Nostalgia Peace Monosyllabic Childhood memory Light Heaven Simple Bond Idyllic Alliteration SOMEWHERE – FATHER – GENUINE – STILL – MOTHER – RIBBON – STIFF – LIGHT – POURS – SCREW – SLOWLY – SAME – RUNS – MY – FATHER – LEISURELY – BECKON – HEAR – CROSSING - IT SOMEWHERE – FATHER – GENUINE – STILL – MOTHER – RIBBON – STIFF – LIGHT – POURS – SCREW – SLOWLY – SAME – RUNS – MY – FATHER – LEISURELY – BECKON – HEAR – CROSSING - IT SOMEWHERE – FATHER – GENUINE – STILL – MOTHER – RIBBON – STIFF – LIGHT – POURS – SCREW – SLOWLY – SAME – RUNS – MY – FATHER – LEISURELY – BECKON – HEAR – CROSSING - IT SOMEWHERE – FATHER – GENUINE – STILL – MOTHER – RIBBON – STIFF – LIGHT – POURS – SCREW – SLOWLY – SAME – RUNS – MY – FATHER – LEISURELY – BECKON – HEAR – CROSSING - IT