17 pages • 34 minutes read

Scaffolding

Fiction | Poem | Adult | Published in 1966

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Summary

Background

Poem Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Literary Devices

Symbols & Motifs

Scaffolding

In construction, scaffolding is the wooden and metal apertures used on the exterior of buildings for a variety of projects, from maintenance to construction to restoration. Seeing scaffolding on a structure implies that workers are doing a variety of possible tasks to build, strengthen, or reinforce that structure. Even if a structure is weak or unstable, workers can use scaffolding to rectify the weakness. Scaffolding is never used to purposefully make a structure weaker.

In Heaney’s poem, the speaker describes how using scaffolding is one of the first things masons must complete when they start a construction project. The masons erect and then “test out the scaffolding” (Line 2) to ensure it “won’t slip” (Line 3) and to “secure” and “tighten” any loose parts (Line 4). The scaffolding in Heaney’s poem represents the work put into the “structure” of a relationship. Just as construction scaffolding is used to provide support and strengthen buildings, relationship scaffolding is symbolic of the work and support that goes into building and bolstering relationships between friends, family, and loved ones. It may represent forgiveness, time, energy, effort, caring, love, or communication. It is any “tool” used to help solidify a connection between two people. When masons finish constructing a building, all of the scaffolding “comes down when the job’s done” (Line 5). Similarly, if the “scaffolds fall” (Line 9) in a relationship, then the individuals can rest assured and “[c]onfident” (Line 10) that the work they put into building that relationship will remain stalwart when faced with adversity, thanks to their scaffolding.

Wall

The “wall” in Heaney’s poem is the structure to which the scaffolding is both metaphorically and literally attached. Masons use scaffolding to create “walls of sure and solid stone” (Line 6), which is the literal usage of scaffolding in construction. In the figurative sense, the speaker and their loved one use scaffolding to create their own “wall” (Line 10). Just as in the literal sense of the term, “scaffolding” in the figurative sense bolsters, restores, and maintains the “wall” built by the speaker and their beloved friend, family member, or lover. Time, energy, and collaboration must go into the erection of relationship scaffolding; this is the foundation on which relationships are able to flourish and thrive. The wall that the speaker and their audience together construct represents the strong aspects of their relationship. All of the scaffolding, or work, they put into it makes the wall frames and grounds their relationship. The wall results from the time, energy, and effort devoted to it, just as a relationship results from the care and devotion placed upon it. When relationships lack scaffolding, it is likely they won’t last. The work to build “walls” together gives substance to any relationship.

Bridges

Bridges often seem to defy logic or gravity, connecting two points and spanning expanses of water or empty space as in a canyon. Though people are apt to trust bridges have been solidly and efficiently built, crossing over them can still evoke anxiety or fear. Crossing them takes trust and confidence. Similarly, in the sense of relationships, bridges represent connections made between individuals. They can symbolize trust from one individual to another, shared memories or experiences, or faith in one another. In the literal sense, bridges permit transport between two points which might otherwise be impossible. In the metaphorical sense, the “bridges” of a relationship facilitate the sharing of emotions, words, thoughts, and recollections.

In Heaney’s poem, the speaker hypothetically states that “[o]ld bridges” (Line 8) may occasionally break between people in a relationship. These bridges can fall into disrepair from overuse, disuse, or if there is a lack of time or maintenance put into the relationship. Even if there are moments of disconnect in a relationship—even if the bridges are occasionally closed for repairs—there is still the knowledge that they have scaffolding in place to reconstruct the bond.