Class 2.1 have been exploring Seamus Heaney’s poem Blackberry Picking. After reading and discussing the poem, they wrote their own reviews, sharing their thoughts on the imagery, language, and feelings the poem inspired. Here are some of the best reviews from the class – see what our young critics thought!
“Our class has just finished reading ‘Blackberry Picking’ by Seamus Heaney and it surprised us. The poem kicks off talking about the weather. Readers are very entertained by the word choice in the poem. Overall, I would rate it 5 stars because it uses techniques to remind me if when I was young and picking blackberries at the bush near my house.”
– Omar Moursi
“‘Blackberry Picking’ by Seamus Heaney might make readers think about their childhood and the joys of picking blackberries, especially when they are younger. In my opinion the poem was good because it shows the fun of being young. The poem is about the fun of being a child and childhood because blackberry picking makes the reader think about their own childhood. Although it seems like it is about blackberry picking it has a deeper meaning to it and the deeper meaning is thinking about childhood. My opinion on the poem is that it is a good poem. I enjoyed reading it.”
– Sophie Parker
“‘Blackberry Picking’ by Seamus Heaney is a somewhat relatable poem in a way. It brings back childhood memories and reminds you of joyful moments. At first you could assume that the poem is just about picking berries, although it has a much deeper meaning to it. In my opinion it was enjoyable to read and a great poem.”
– Emili Rowan
“Seamus Heaney’s poem ‘Blackberry Picking’ is a short, homely poem which tells us all about picking blackberries, like Heaney himself did in his childhood. However, there’s more to this poem that you may have missed. The whole poem actually tells us how it is to grow up. It shares how fast it may feel and that there will be obstacles and problems you’ll need to resolve. This poem, in my opinion, is a good way to tell people about growing up whilst reliving your own childhood with something you care very deeply about. It’s a brilliant read with it’s immersive description. It’s something that really captures one’s childhood through personal stories and subtle word choice that reminds others of their childhood.”
– Evelyn Halliday
“Seamus Heaney’s poem ‘Blackberry Picking’ explores the joy and excitement of the first blackberry being ripe and ready to pick. At first the poem seems to be about the time and place the blackberries are grown, but it also suggests that the poet is impatiently waiting for a ripe blackberry. The imagery in the poem shows us that it has multiple meanings. This poem might make the person reading it think of the childhood of the children in the poem, the excitement and joy (but hard work) picking the blackberries brings and the story of the adventure the children had. In my opinion the poem is good and meaningful because it shows you life from another person’s point of view and he has a whole story to tell.”
– Isla Heaney
“Seamus Heaney’s poem ‘Blackberry Picking’ is about his childhood and how we all grow up too fast. At first when the blackberries are picked they’re sweet and juicy, but as time goes on they start to rot, just like how, as we grow older, we slowly lose more and more of our childhood innocence. I like the poem because it makes you realise how important your childhood really was since you won’t relive it again and how growing up is like rotting almost.”
– Claudia Kenny
“Seamus Heaney’s poem ‘Blackberry Picking’ is a 24 line poem. I personally am not too keen on poems but this one piqued my interest. The descriptions are very lengthy with a range of vocabulary. At first glance this poem just seems to be about picking blackberries, but the true meaning us very cryptic and symbolic. Heaney’s ‘Blackberry Picking’ is a poem not solely about picking blackberries but also includes details about childhood and the struggles there are in growing up. Heaney also explores topics such as hoarding and consistent pointless struggles to strengthen and back up his point about growing up. Over all, ‘Blackberry Picking’ by Seamus Heaney is a good and symbolic story with lots of hidden meaning. I would recommend it to you and anyone else who is willing to read it.”
– Daniel Galloway
“The poem ‘Blackberry Picking’ by Seamus Heaney has extraordinary use of juxtaposition, metaphors, personification and similes. When first reading the poem it seems like its just about blackberry picking but there is actually a much deeper meaning behind it. Its innocent nature holds a much deeper truth. The poet is really talking about growing up and maturing. He’s talking about his adventure of getting older and less carefree. This poem may make readers miss the innocence of their childhood. In my opinion, the poem is brilliant because of his excellent and powerful imagery which goes straight to your heart.”
– Olivia Ovenden
“Seamus Heaney’s poem ‘Blackberry Picking’ seems like it explores what it is like to pick blackberries but it is much more than that. It is an adventure. It shows the reader that good things happen after a long time of build up as with the ripe blackberries, it needs to have rain and sun. If there’s only one of these two requirements they can’t ripen. Though when the two steps happen you need to harvest all of them with determination, eagerness and lust. In the poem the sweet berries ended up in the byre with a grey fungus and turned sour. This shows the reader all good things must come to an end. To summarise, I believe ‘Blackberry Picking’ is a very nice poem. On the outside it looks like a regular poem about picking blackberries but on a deeper level it is a very good poem.”
– Reilly Gartland
“The poem ‘Blackberry Picking’ explores the hardships of life with deep meanings inside the poem. At first the poem seems to be about picking blackberries and uses similes, but it also has deeper meaning about how good things can disappear. In my opinion I don’t like the poem because I am not a fan of poems.”
– Jiabao Lau
“The poem ‘Blackberry Picking’ by Seamus Heaney explores the theme of growing up quickly and not cherishing being a kid until it’s too late. In the poem he refer to children as blackberries, when they ripen and are sweet and refreshing, but before he realises it the blackberries begin to mould, losing the sweetness they had before. The last line: “I hope they’d keep but knew they would not,” shows how he is yearning for his childhood to come back but knows it never will. His poem talks about how even the sweetest berries can rot just like how the nicest kid can grow into a mature and unhappy adult.”
– Jamie Greer
Class 2.1 worked hard to think deeply about Heaney’s words, and their reviews show just how much insight and creativity they bring to the classroom. We’re proud to share their work and celebrate the different perspectives they’ve offered on this famous poem. Well done, S2!
