Themes / Summary
Allusion
Hera and Zeus
Grotto
Cave-like feature which houses statues of the Virgin Mary. Ann Lovett gave birth beside one and died.
Imagery
The poem uses vivid imagery to create contrast, such as the 'garrison towns, walled cities, ghetto lanes' compared to the 'bitter' weather outside, which mirrors the harsh religious atmosphere
Metaphor
The statue serves as a metaphor for the institutional Church - immobility symbolises the church's perceived inability to help the vulnerable
Social injustice
Uses the real tragedy of Ann Lovett, who died after giving birth in a grotto, to explore issues of abuse, social judgement, and the consequences of policies like the 8th Amendment.
Repetition
'I did not move' - shows church's inaction
How does the statue criticise the patriarchy?
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Critique of the Catholic Church
Criticises the lack of compassion within Catholicism and highlights how the church's influence had a detrimental effect on women. (Ann Lovett died aged 16, 1984)
Personification
The statue of the Virgin Mary expresses the human emotions of anger and desire that are supressed by her religious role
How is the statue critical of Irish societal attitudes?
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