Page 2: Time and Tradition

The second page of Liz Lochhead's "View of Scotland/Love Poem" continues to explore themes of time passing and the importance of tradition in Scottish culture. The poet uses specific details to create a sense of urgency and anticipation as the new year approaches.

Highlight: The repeated mention of time, such as "Nearly half-ten already," emphasizes the countdown to midnight and the significance of being prepared for the new year.

Lochhead introduces the concept of starting the new year as one means to continue, a common superstition in many cultures. This is illustrated through the description of the mother's preparations:

"If we're to even hope to prosper / this midnight must find us / how we would like to be."

The poem also touches on the theme of change and progress, both personal and national:

Example: "A new view of Scotland / with a dangling calendar / ready to take its place."

This imagery suggests not only the literal changing of the calendar but also the potential for a new perspective on Scotland itself.

The poet continues to blend the personal with the cultural, referring to "Her husband" and using terms of endearment like "Darling," reinforcing the "love poem" aspect of the work. The passage of time is further emphasized with the line "it's thirty years since anybody was able to trick me," indicating the speaker's growth from childhood to adulthood.

Page 3: Love and Scottish Traditions

The third page of Liz Lochhead's "View of Scotland/Love Poem" delves deeper into Scottish traditions and the theme of love. The poet intertwines personal memories with cultural practices, creating a rich tapestry of experience and emotion.

Definition: Hogmanay is the Scottish New Year's celebration, traditionally involving various customs and superstitions.

Lochhead references a Scottish tradition of "looking into a mirror to see a lassie wi as minny heids as days in the year," which is believed to show a young woman her future husband. This allusion to folklore adds depth to the cultural context of the poem.

The poet then shifts to a more personal reflection, recounting the moment when she and her partner met:

"and two already since, / familiar strangers at a party, / we did not know that we were / the happiness we wished each other / when the Bells went, did we?"

Highlight: The use of "we" throughout this section emphasizes the theme of togetherness and shared experience central to the "love poem" aspect of the work.

The poem also captures the atmosphere of Hogmanay celebrations across Scotland, particularly in Glasgow:

"All over the city / off-licenses pull down their shutters, / people make for where they want to be / to bring the new year in."

This description creates a sense of community and shared tradition, while also highlighting the anticipation and movement associated with the holiday.

Page 4: Celebration and Reflection

The final page of Liz Lochhead's "View of Scotland/Love Poem" brings together themes of celebration, tradition, and reflection. The poet paints a vivid picture of Hogmanay preparations across Glasgow, emphasizing the communal aspect of the holiday.

Example: "In highrises and tenements / sunburst clocks tick / on dusted mantelshelves."

This imagery establishes a sense of unity across different living situations, all preparing for the same moment of transition.

Lochhead repeats the earlier sentiment about prosperity and presentation:

"(for to even hope to prosper / this midnight must find us / how we would like to be)."

This repetition reinforces the importance of starting the new year as one means to continue, a central theme in Scottish New Year traditions.

The poem concludes with a focus on the present moment and the intimate connection between the speaker and their partner:

"And this is where we live. / There is no time like the / present for a kiss."

Highlight: This final stanza brings together the themes of love, time, and place that run throughout the poem, ending on a note of hope and intimacy.

Throughout the work, Lochhead skillfully weaves together personal memories, cultural traditions, and reflections on time and change. The result is a rich and evocative "View of Scotland/Love Poem" that celebrates both national identity and personal relationships.

Page 1: Setting the Scene

The opening stanza of Liz Lochhead's "View of Scotland/Love Poem" establishes the setting and introduces key themes. The poem begins with a vivid description of the speaker's mother preparing for Hogmanay, the Scottish New Year's celebration.

Highlight: The line "Down on her hands and knees at ten at night on Hogmanay" immediately sets the scene and emphasizes the importance of the occasion.

The poet uses specific details to create a sense of time and place, such as "jiffywaxing the vinolay" and mentions of traditional Scottish foods like black bun and sockeye salmon. These elements not only paint a picture of the preparations but also serve to ground the poem in Scottish culture.

Vocabulary: "Vinolay" refers to a type of linoleum flooring popular in the mid-20th century.

Lochhead employs a matter-of-fact tone to describe these memories, avoiding overt sentimentality. This approach is reinforced by the parenthetical comment "(This is too ordinary to be nostalgia.)" which suggests a conscious rejection of romanticizing the past.

Quote: "Though we do not expect anyone, / petticoat-tails fanned out / on bone china."

This line illustrates the care taken in preparation, even when no guests are expected, highlighting the significance of tradition and presentation in Scottish culture.