A Heritage - Abse

A Heritage by Abse seems to be about Welsh heritage and how this has become destroyed within our modern world. The poem seems to be either told by a narrator who watches change over time, and who is constantly monitoring and to whom is clearly visible how the world is changing, and the role of this 'Black-robed God' in this. Moreover, the tone of this is subtle but with sometimes explosive and violent words, such as 'petrifier' and "grim". 'Comradeship and suffocation' used within the first stanza are contrasting words, which may convey how much welsh heritage has changed over the years and that in today's world it has literally been suffocated. Through this Abse conveys similarities and differences with the past and present.

Within stanza two we get the reference to 'God'. It seems as though Abse maybe contrasting the modern world with God and how God seems to have done nothing to prevent the world becoming so parasitic. God seems to be 'retreating to his throne of sulphur'. This may act as symbolism for the deterioration of heritage within the modern world, as sulphur is a chemical. Abse may challenge religion in this quote, the fact that God has a 'throne' suggests his superior rule over Christianity. However, it is made of sulphur suggesting that faith in God is also deteriorating within today's society.

There is a vile representation of God within stanza three as he is 'black-robed' and there is also the 'underground forest'. This may act as a metaphor for darkness falling over the world, it is a representation of what the world has become, a dark cold place. We also get the 'pony's skeleton and human skulls' suggesting a decay of something. Abse is reinforcing his ideas that the modern world has become a parasitic place and this links to the end of Sunny Prestatyn where Larkin makes the same comment about society as well.

Within stanzas four and five we get a reference to the other side of the mountain. This seems to be abandoned through the fact that the 'pit-wheels do not turn and the pump house is abandoned'. However, the person on this mountain doesn't seem to mind that God has let this place become abandoned. The fact that the mountain has been 'brutalised' suggests a mistreatment of the natural world.

Within stanzas seven and eight This person is drunk with Methane (Used for Fuel) and raises a mans thigh like a staff; and has also spellbound a woman who is his 'Queen', and she admires unnatural Black-Roses: which is in contrast to the beautiful 'Plains of Enna '. Abse could be making a comment about conflicting religions in today's society and how good and evil are always trying to triumph over one another.