close reading of the poem A Constable Calls by Seamus Heaney
The poem A Constable Calls opens dramatically, the incident that is described in the poem is one seen by Heaney as a child and this is evident from the outset. ... The third and fourth stanza move inside the house where Heaney witnesses his father being interviewed by the officer who is never at any point given a personality which adds to the ominous ness of him. ... There is also a description here of an actual gun which is a source of clear fascination for the child but are at the same time another tool of intimidation that the constable possesses. ... It is clear that the child feels that the constable call is a total intrusion into their lives. The imprint of the constable’s cap leaves an imprint on his face implying that although he has taken off one of the objects that make him intimidating it leaves an imprint on his forehead indicating that he can never truly shed his image.