Inner and Outer Landscapes

This study of John Montague’s poetry takes the reader beyond the family and political history as subject matter of his poetry to a deeply felt exploration of the landscape. Montague’s interest in Irish place names and mythological associations with the landscape are explored. The study deals generally with two of John Montague’s collections of poetry: The Rough Field and The Dead Kingdom. The fact that Montague’s mother abandoned him and gave him over to the care of two aunts at the tender age of four is central to this particular study. The study looks on the landscape as a surrogate mother to the poet and offers possible connections and reasons why the poet is attracted to this subject of landscape. Where appropriate, the study shows similarities between the work of John Montague and that of WilliamCarleton and Patrick Kavanagh.