‘Eden Rock’ by Charles Causley: Analysis

The narrator imagines his parents as young and preparing a picnic in an idyllic scene. The narrator is on the opposite bank to his parents who encourage him to join them. This could be based on a real memory, a fantasy, or the narrator on the brink of death.

Ideas and Themes:

• Family relationships
• Memory
• Distance

Structure:

• The first 3 stanzas are describing his parents and his fondness for them.
• 4^th and 5^th stanzas parents talk to him about him joining them

Form:

• The poem has 5 stanzas mostly 4 lines long. Every line has nearly 10 syllables. This regular structure reflects a steady relationship with parents.
• Final line separated from others to show his separation from his parents.
• Have half-rhymes that create a gentle and natural rhythm.

Language:

• “Eden Rock”- a reference to Garden of Eden which was a perfect place so his parents could be in that perfect place now. But the inhabitants were punished for disobedience
• “My father, 25…My mother, 23”– introductions mirror each other and shows the closeness
• “The same suit…Still two years”- Memory language shows his pleasure in recounting details
• “The stiff white cloth”- White could symbol purity; it’s a heavenly and angelic color
• “Takes on the light”- The light in his mother’s hair is an angelic image
• “Pours tea from a thermos…Old H.P sauce bottle…paper for a cork”- Detailed description signifies their importance and the affection he has for the way his parents did things.
• “slowly sets out” Parent’s actions are slow and tranquil showing they are at peace
• “The sky lightens as if lit by three suns”- hints at something otherworldly which contrasts with the first few stanzas. 3 suns could show the family of 3 is reunited. Heavenly image
• “Leisurely, they beckon to me” Enjambment shows a pause in which imitates the leisurely way his father calls out to him.
• “Over the drifted stream…stream-path” This could be a death metaphor. The stream is peaceful which suggests he’ll have no trouble crossing over or killing himself.
• “Crossing is not as hard as you may think” typical of parents to encourage. Could be saying that death is painless
• “I had not thought it would be like this”. Monosyllabic language shows a child-like simplicity. This last line is ambiguous. We don’t know what “it” is. Could be death or his parents

William Anderson (Schoolworkhelper Editorial Team)

William completed his Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts in 2013. He current serves as a lecturer, tutor and freelance writer. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, walking his dog and parasailing. Article last reviewed: 2022 | St. Rosemary Institution © 2010-2024 | Creative Commons 4.0

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