In order to answer an essay question on any poem you need to understand what it is about. This section includes:
- The poem in a nutshell
- A “translation” of the poem, section-by-section
- A commentary of each of these sections, outlining Vernon Scannell’s intention and message
'Nettles' in a nutshell
'Nettles', written by the poet Vernon Scannell, explores family relationships by illustrating a parent’s strong emotions towards their son. The poem examines feelings of powerlessness as a parent realises their limitations.
'Nettles' breakdown
Line 1
“My son aged three fell in the nettle bed.”
Translation
- The poem begins with narration from the perspective of a parent
- Their young son fell in a bed of nettles, a wild plant with leaves that sting
Scannell's intention
- Scannell begins with an emphatic and matter-of-fact statement to portray the parent as controlled and calm
Lines 2–3
“‘Bed’ seemed a curious name for those green spears,
That regiment of spite behind the shed:”
Translation
- The speaker thinks it is strange to use the word “‘Bed’” for a patch of nettles
- The nettles are described metaphorically as weapons (“spears”) and a “regiment” (a military unit)
- The speaker personifies the nettles, describing them as spiteful or cruel
Scannell's intention
- Scannell’s speaker shows controlled emotion as they reflect on the plant
- Metaphorical imagery relating to the military conveys the impression of the plant as an army that attacks with force
Lines 4–5
“It was no place for rest. With sobs and tears
The boy came seeking comfort and I saw”
Translation
- These lines remind the reader that the plant is not a bed as it does not offer rest
- Instead the boy has been hurt and needs his parent’s comfort
Scannell's intention
- The short sentence in the first line indicates the speaker’s grim conclusion about nettles
- The speaker emphasises the son’s pain and alludes to the parental role of care-giver
Lines 6–8
“White blisters beaded on his tender skin.
We soothed him till his pain was not so raw.
At last he offered us a watery grin,”
Translation
- The extent of the boy’s injuries (“blisters”) is emphasised by comparing the boy’s “tender” young skin and the “raw” pain he feels
- These lines describe, too, how the parents comforted him until he was able to offer a weak and “watery” smile
Scannell's intention
- Scannell uses diction that connotes the boy’s vulnerability and fragility
- He also presents the parents as keen to help the child with the phrase “At last”
Lines 9–10
“And then I took my billhook, honed the blade
And went outside and slashed in fury with it”
Translation
- These lines describe the actions the parent takes in retaliation
- They sharpened (“honed”) a “billhook” (pruning knife) and furiously cut down the nettles
Scannell's intention
- Here, the parent’s anger implies their intense love for their son, as they “slashed” with “fury”:
- To fix the problem and protect their son in future they take immediate action
Lines 11–13
“Till not a nettle in that fierce parade
Stood upright any more. And then I lit
A funeral pyre to burn the fallen dead”
Translation
- The speaker is determined that the nettles are all destroyed
- The plant is a “fierce parade”, implying it is a vicious and disciplined enemy:
- The parent makes sure the nettles are burned in a fire (a “funeral pyre”) to make sure they cannot sting their son again
- The phrase “fallen dead” continues the extended military metaphor and alludes to soldiers who have died in battle
Scannell's intention
- Scannell shows the parent’s desperation to protect their son
- The dark imagery suggests their powerful emotional response to their child’s pain
Lines 14–15
“But in two weeks the busy sun and rain
Had called up tall recruits behind the shed:”
Translation
- The speaker says that despite their attempts to kill the nettles, they grew back again
- The sun and rain are “busy”, suggesting nature’s power
- In two weeks the nettles are “tall recruits”, strong and fresh soldiers
Scannell's intention
- This is the volta of the poem as the speaker realises they are powerless against nature
- Personifying the sun, the rain and the nettles implies nature is stronger than the parent
Line 16
“My son would often feel sharp wounds again.”
Translation
- The poem concludes that the parent cannot protect their son from pain in the future
- Although the speaker refers to nettles, the implication is that the world will naturally bring more “sharp wounds”
Scannell's intention
- Scannell’s vivid extended metaphor conveys a parent’s sad acknowledgment that their desire to protect their child from the world (nature) is futile