In the poem "North" by Seamus Heaney, what is meant by the Aurora Borealis line and the word "nubbed"?

Question

I'm taking notes and learning about the poem "North" by Seamus Heaney, and would like help with the literary analysis of some lines. What is meant by: >Expect aurora Borealis in the long foray, but no cascade of light. I feel this may mean that the poem's speaker should expect to receive flashes of brilliance in his endeavours, but no complete enlightenment. And > trust the feel of what nubbed treasure your hands have known. I can't even find an adequate definition anywhere of "nubbed". Appreciate the help.

Answer 1

Hello Christiana,

you are correct in your first presumption, the speaker is expected to see an aurorea borealis some where along his journey, but not an absolute flood of light. They will not be completely illuminated, as a "cascade of light" would do, but rather will see flashes of brilliance and beauty along the way.

"nubbed treasure" is a little more cryptic, but this is part of the art of poetry: meaning doesn't need to and often isn't totally direct. A nub is a small lump, usually extending from something greater. I believe what the Heaney meant by "trust the feel of what nubbed treasure your hands have known" is that one should trust in the things that have truly rewarded them, even if those rewards were meager or small.